Journalism of Courage
Even as peace returned to Gaza following the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, Palestinian villagers in the West Bank have alleged that they have been attacked by Israeli settlers.
According to Palestinian media, several Israeli settlers attacked the village of Beita, near Nablus in the West Bank, on Friday as the villagers were harvesting olives.
The Israeli settlers allegedly set several vehicles on fire, and the clashes have left multiple Palestinians injured.
Videos posted on social media show clashes between settlers and Palestinian harvesters as Israeli soldiers fire in the air to break up the crowds.
The Palestinian health ministry said medical teams at Rafidia Government Hospital and the Beita Emergency Centre treated 36 people, including two injured by live gunfire. The remaining injuries were caused by physical assaults and tear gas inhalation.
One of those injured in the attack has been identified as Jaafar Ashtiyeh, a Palestinian photographer based in Nablus, working for the AFP news agency.
“In my 30-year career, this is the first time I have faced violence of this kind,” Ashtiyeh was quoted as saying.
According to the Palestinian News Agency Wafa, Israeli settlers have also attacked Palestinian villagers in Hawara and Deir Sharaf in Nablus governorate, injuring over 30 people.
The olive harvest season is a vital time for Palestinian farmers, both economically and culturally. Each year, it is marred by a spike in attacks by Israeli settlers, who Palestinians say vandalise olive trees, steal harvests, and assault farmers, allegedly with the protection or watch of Israeli forces.
The West Bank is home to over 4 million people, including around 3.3 million Palestinians and 670,000 to 700,000 Israeli settlers living in settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.
Israel occupied the West Bank after the Six-Day War in 1967 and in recent weeks, the Netanyahu government’s plans to annex parts of the area had caused international outcry.
Last month, ahead of his meeting with Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump said that Israel cannot annex the occupied West Bank.
