Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters in the West Bank, resulting in serious injuries to at least one woman. The incident occurred on Sunday in the town of Turmus Ayya and was captured on video, revealing a disturbing escalation in violence during the ongoing olive harvest season. Local health officials reported that the woman required hospitalization due to the severity of her injuries.
This year’s olive harvest has been marked by increasing tensions and violence, with reports from Palestinian activists indicating that settler aggression is on the rise. According to the United Nations and various human rights organizations, the situation has become increasingly perilous for Palestinian farmers as they gather olives. Ajith Sunghay, head of the U.N. Human Rights Office in the Palestinian territory, commented, “Settler violence has skyrocketed in scale and frequency.” He highlighted that within just two weeks of the commencement of the 2025 harvest, there have been numerous severe attacks against Palestinian civilians and solidarity activists.
In a video obtained by the Associated Press, a masked individual was seen violently assaulting at least two people, including the injured woman who lay incapacitated on the ground. The aggressor was reportedly wearing tzitzit, a traditional garment worn by some Jewish men. In another video, a group of masked men pursued a vehicle along a village road, with one settler striking the car and opening a passenger door, prompting the occupant to flee in fear.
The violence has sparked widespread concern. A report by Israel’s Channel 12 revealed that the West Bank police chief expressed distress over the footage of the attack, stating it “kept him up at night,” and he urged his officers to ensure justice was served. Despite this, there has been no official comment from the Israeli military or police regarding the attacks.
The town of Turmus Ayya, home to a predominantly Palestinian American population, has faced ongoing settler violence, which many residents believe has intensified since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The town is situated in a valley surrounded by Israeli settlements, making it vulnerable to such incidents. Tensions escalated further after the killing of Amer Rabee, a 14-year-old Palestinian-American, by Israeli forces in April. This incident has led to frequent protests against settler violence and the military’s perceived inaction.
The broader context reveals a troubling trend throughout the West Bank. Data from the U.N. indicates that in the first half of 2025, there were 757 settler attacks resulting in casualties or property damage, marking a 13% increase compared to the same period last year. The first week of the olive harvest alone experienced over 150 attacks, with more than 700 olive trees uprooted, damaged, or poisoned, according to Muayyad Shaaban, who oversees a monitoring office within the Palestinian Authority.
The West Bank was captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war, along with East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, territories that Palestinians seek for a future independent state. Notably, advocates for settlers hold influential positions within the Israeli Cabinet, further complicating the prospects for resolution in the region. The ongoing violence during the olive harvest season raises critical concerns about the safety of Palestinian farmers and the potential for further escalation in tensions.