Palestinians and US journalist injured in West Bank
Masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and US journalist Heidi Levine during the annual olive harvest in the West Bank.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in the West Bank.
- 12 Palestinians injured, including dual US-Palestinian citizens and a foreign journalist.
- The incident occurred during the annual olive harvest near Abu Falah village.
- The UN reports settler attacks this harvest season have killed one and injured over 120.
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers carried out a violent assault against Palestinians, setting fire to cars and olive trees amid the annual olive harvest in the occupied West Bank. The escalation has heightened tensions and caused multiple injuries in the agricultural region.
A BBC news team witnessed one of several violent clashes in farmland close to the Palestinian village of Abu Falah. According to a local official, the attacks left 12 Palestinians injured, which included four dual Palestinian-American citizens, alongside a foreign journalist who was also hurt in the melee.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Driving into the area during the early morning hours, reporters encountered the immediate aftermath of violence: a stream of vehicles carrying wounded Palestinian farmers rushing away along a narrow stony track, loaded with harvesting gear, while smoke billowed from nearby fires.
Majdi Fheed, an American citizen with a bloodied face peering from a car backseat, stated that a group of around 15 Jewish individuals attacked them with guns, rocks, and special weapons while they gathered their olives. Yaser AlKam, a council member from the neighboring Turmus Aya village, noted that Majdi suffered deep head wounds from nail-studded sticks.
"We were getting our olive trees and almost 15 Jewish guys … started attacking us with guns, with rocks, with special weapons. They hit me on my head [and] my neck – look, I am bleeding!"
Majdi Fheed
A US State Department spokesperson stated they were aware of the reports, condemning criminal violence by any party in the West Bank and calling for proper investigations and arrests. Meanwhile, the United Nations stated that the past two weeks have already recorded more violent settler attacks than during the entirety of last year's harvest season.
The recurring violence surrounding the olive harvest in the West Bank highlights deep-seated security and territorial tensions. Olive trees represent vital economic lifelines and cultural anchors for Palestinian farmers, making harvest season a flashpoint amid expanding settlements and illegal outposts.
American journalist Heidi Levine of the Washington Post was among those injured after being ambushed while reporting. Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray released a statement expressing outrage over the unwarranted attack on a journalist performing her professional duties, urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.
Source: BBC World
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