Israeli bulldozers uproot West Bank olive trees ahead of harvest season

Israeli bulldozers dismantled numerous olive trees in Palestinian villages close to Jenin early this week, as part of a continuous initiative to eradicate olive groves throughout the West Bank, which is under occupation. The recent operation focused on the farmlands of Ajjah and Zububa, situated near the separation barrier, a few weeks prior to Palestinian farmers' scheduled commencement of the current olive harvest season.

Zaki Jaradat, leader of Zububa Village Council, reported that Israeli forces have uprooted over 2,950 olive trees from more than 300 dunams of agricultural land since the beginning of the year. Among those impacted is Fuad Yahya Maqalda, whose family has cultivated olive trees on the same land for generations. From the rooftop of his residence, overlooking the family's land, Maqalda observed Israeli bulldozers traversing the olive groves, uprooting trees that had been present for generations.

Unable to approach the affected area, he could only watch the devastation unfold below. "We are powerless to take any action," Maqalda conveyed to Middle East Eye. "We are unable to comprehend the motives behind this uprooting. 'The occupation has uprooted olive trees that have resided on our land since the era of our grandparents.'