UN says West Bank olive harvest settler attacks surpass 2025 figure

The United Nations has reported that settler attacks during the West Bank olive harvest season have surpassed the number from the previous year. According to a statement from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately 200 settler attacks have already occurred this year, resulting in casualties or damage to property.

This figure is higher than the 185 incidents recorded throughout the entire 2025 season. The attacks have resulted in the death of one Palestinian, injuries to over 120 individuals, and the destruction of more than 2,500 trees and saplings. Around 80% of these incidents have taken place within the past two weeks, as many communities have begun to harvest their olives early to minimize risks.

Humanitarian organizations have provided pickers with necessary equipment and other agricultural supplies, while also monitoring restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities on access to groves near settlements and behind the 712-kilometre-long Barrier. They are also offering legal support. In Gaza, the situation is particularly dire, with the destruction of olive groves, restricted access to farmland beyond the "Yellow Line," and limitations on the entry of agricultural supplies, engine oil, and spare parts severely impacting cultivation and harvesting efforts, as well as the operation of remaining olive presses.