West Bank: Palestinians harvest olives under Israeli military restrictions

On Thursday, Israeli soldiers patrolled the olive groves of the West Bank village of al-Mughayyir, as families gathered what limited harvest they could during one of the few permitted days. Footage depicted troops deploying tear gas, smoke billowing through the trees as a boy carelessly tossed a canister to the ground. The village, home to around 3,000 people, possesses 4,300 hectares of land, yet residents claim they can only access 100 hectares.

Gaining entry to these groves necessitates prior approval from the Israeli military, with access confined to a few select days and limited by age restrictions and bans on equipment.

The villagers lament that these infrequent visits are insufficient to maintain their trees, which require consistent care year-round. The village has endured growing pressure from nearby Israeli settler outposts. In 2026, six residents were killed, the eastern entrance to the village had been sealed by the army for over two years, and approximately 12,000 olive trees were grubbed up from its eastern plain in 2025.

The olive harvest is a crucial source of income for an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 Palestinian families. Across the West Bank, the United Nations has documented 377 settler attacks since September, the highest tally since records began in 2006. These attacks have resulted in one Palestinian death, more than 200 injuries and 3,850 trees damaged.

The olive harvest serves as a vital income source for an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 Palestinian families. Israeli settlements within the occupied West Bank are deemed illegal under international law by the vast majority of nations.