Dozens of masked settlers launched a violent assault on Palestinians during the annual olive harvest in the occupied West Bank, setting fire to vehicles and trees while injuring multiple individuals, including a foreign journalist.
Attacks Near Abu Falah Village
The incident took place in farmland near the Palestinian village of Abu Falah. A local official reported that 12 Palestinians sustained injuries during the violence, among them four dual Palestinian-American citizens. A foreign journalist was also hurt in the melee.
Majdi Fheed, an American citizen, recounted being ambushed while gathering olives. He stated that individuals carrying weapons and special equipment attacked him, resulting in deep head and neck wounds that required medical treatment. His elderly mother was also injured during the confrontation, while three cars, including one transporting the wounded, were torched.
Rising Tensions During the Harvest
The United Nations noted that the first two weeks of the current harvest season have already surpassed last year's total number of settler attacks. Olive picking has become a high-stakes race against time, with farmers stripping trees rapidly at sunrise before violence erupts.
In a nearby orchard, farmers from three different villages banded together for mutual protection, operating power tools to harvest olives swiftly while watching a newly established illegal outpost on the ridge above. Despite these precautions, dozens of individuals moved down the hill, setting fire to olive groves and triggering panic among the farmers.
Journalist Injured and Official Responses
Washington Post journalist Heidi Levine was injured while reporting at the scene. She described being ambushed, knocked to the ground, and repeatedly kicked while attempting to protect her equipment. Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray condemned the attack, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident where the journalist was clearly identifiable.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that personnel were deployed following reports of a violent confrontation and that all circumstances surrounding the incident would be examined. Meanwhile, the United Nations confirmed that ongoing settler violence during this year's harvest has resulted in one death and over 120 injuries across the West Bank.
