Nablus: Israeli colonists, under the protection of the occupation army, on Wednesday attacked Palestinian olive pickers in the town of Aqraba, south of Nablus, according to a local official.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Aqraba Mayor Salah Jaber reported that dozens of colonists, supported by the Israeli occupation army, targeted olive pickers in the Qarqafah area. The residents of Aqraba confronted the colonists, resulting in clashes during which Israeli forces deployed tear gas canisters. A foreign activist was affected by the suffocating gas fired by the occupation army.
In a related incident, colonists were reported to have stolen olives from lands in Burin, another town south of Nablus. The theft occurred on lands surrounding the home of Umm Ayman Sufan, which is near the Yitzhar settlement. This residence is frequently harassed by colonists, who aim to pressure the family into leaving the area.
The annual olive harvest season often sees increased attacks on Palestinian lands by colonists and the occupation army. These actions prevent farmers from accessing their lands, leading to substantial material losses and intensifying their ongoing struggles under occupation.
Since October 7, 2023, there have been significant attacks by colonists and occupation forces, resulting in the uprooting, destruction, and damage of 48,728 trees in the West Bank, including 37,237 olive trees, as reported by the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission.