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The United Nations said attacks by Israelis seizing Palestinian land against people working the olive harvest in the occupied West Bank have already surpassed last year's figures, even though the harvest season only officially began today.

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, told a daily briefing in New York that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) had recorded more than 200 attacks on Palestinian farmers this season, compared with 185 across the whole of the 2025 season.

Casualties and damage this season

Haq said one Palestinian has been killed in attacks by Israeli land-grabbers this season, more than 120 have been injured, and more than 2,500 trees or saplings have been damaged.

Around 80 percent of the incidents took place in the last two weeks, Haq said, adding that humanitarian partners are providing harvesters with equipment and other agricultural supplies while monitoring restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities on access to olive groves near settlements and behind the 712-kilometre-long barrier. They are also offering legal support.

Gaza farming inputs blocked and groves destroyed

In Gaza, where the same harvest season is under way, Haq said Israel is not allowing essential agricultural tools and equipment in, olive groves are being destroyed, and access to farmland is restricted, particularly beyond the "Yellow Line".

Haq said the bans on the entry of agricultural materials, motor oil and spare parts are severely impeding both planting and harvest activity and the operation of the small number of olive presses that remain.

Humanitarian facilities hit

Haq said many humanitarian facilities were struck by Israeli light weapons and artillery fire yesterday. Israeli forces were also reported to have opened fire near a UN convoy, with no injuries reported.

"All humanitarian workers and humanitarian facilities, like all civilians and civilian infrastructure, must be protected," Haq said.

Key takeaways

• UNOCHA says settler attacks on West Bank olive harvesters have already exceeded the 185 recorded in the 2025 season.
• More than 200 attacks this season have left one Palestinian dead, over 120 injured and more than 2,500 trees or saplings damaged.
• About 80 percent of the incidents occurred in the last two weeks, the UN said.
• In Gaza, bans on farming materials, motor oil and spare parts are hampering planting, harvesting and the remaining olive presses.