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Israeli settlers who seize Palestinian land blocked a farmer from reaching his plot in Taybeh, a mostly Christian town in the occupied West Bank, then broke the branches of his century-old olive trees and stole part of his harvest, the farmer said.

Bashir Naim told Anadolu Agency that the attack three days ago left fruit scattered on the ground, damaged trees that may take years to recover and put the rest of the season's crop at risk of being lost or stolen.

Taybeh residents say attacks are pushing families to leave

Taybeh, one of the main settlements in the occupied West Bank with a majority Christian population, is home to churches and religious and historic sites. Farming and tourism are among the sources of income for some of its residents. Attacks by Israelis targeting homes, land and livelihoods in the town have increased in recent months. Local officials and Christian religious circles have warned that a continuation of the attacks is leading more families and young people to consider emigrating.

The Israeli army declared Taybeh a "closed military zone" on 10 August. A report by the Israeli public broadcaster KAN claimed the decision was meant to prevent attacks by Israeli settlers. Under the measure, entry was barred to Israelis who do not live in Taybeh and to foreigners. The mayor of Taybeh said the arrangement has not given residents the protection they need and has damaged income that depends on tourism and visitors. Residents and clerics said settlers have kept coming to Taybeh's lands despite the order.

On 12 October, the Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission said it had documented 136 attacks linked to the olive harvest since the start of that month, carried out by the Israeli army and Israelis who seize Palestinian land. The olive harvest, which usually begins at the start of October and runs to the end of November, is a main source of income for thousands of Palestinian families. Detentions, raids and attacks against Palestinians have also risen in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem since Israel began its assault on the Gaza Strip in October 2023.

Key takeaways

• Bashir Naim says settlers broke branches on his century-old olive trees and stole part of his harvest three days ago
• The farmer estimates losses will cost him the produce of two seasons, with damaged trees needing two to three years to recover
• Peace activists who came to help with the harvest were forced out of the area
• The Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission documented 136 harvest-linked attacks since the start of the month