Palestinians and US journalist injured by Israeli settlers in West Bank harvest attack
News Source
β’Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:31:04 GMT
π° What Happened
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians during the yearly olive harvest in the occupied West Bank. A BBC team saw the violence near the village of Abu Falah. A local official said 12 Palestinians were hurt, including four people who hold both Palestinian and American citizenship. American journalist Heidi Levine of the Washington Post was also injured when settlers surrounded her and kicked her.
π The Backstory
Olive picking in the West Bank has become a race against time, as farmers strip trees quickly at sunrise before attacks begin. Settlements are illegal under international law, and outposts are also illegal under Israeli law. The United Nations says settler attacks during this year's harvest have killed one Palestinian and injured more than 120.
The US State Department condemned the violence and called for arrests. Israel's army says it is examining what happened.
π― Why It Matters
Farmers are being attacked while gathering their own food and income. It shows how hard daily life has become for many Palestinians.
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians during the yearly olive harvest in the occupied West Bank. A BBC team saw the violence near the village of Abu Falah. A local official said 12 Palestinians were hurt, including four people who hold both Palestinian and American citizenship. American journalist Heidi Levine of the Washington Post was also injured when settlers surrounded her and kicked her.
Olive picking in the West Bank has become a race against time, as farmers strip trees quickly at sunrise before attacks begin. Settlements are illegal under international law, and outposts are also illegal under Israeli law. The United Nations says settler attacks during this year's harvest have killed one Palestinian and injured more than 120.
The US State Department condemned the violence and called for arrests. Israel's army says it is examining what happened.
Farmers are being attacked while gathering their own food and income. It shows how hard daily life has become for many Palestinians.