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Settler Attack Halts West Bank Olive Harvest
By Drooid · · How we work
The Attack on Palestinian Farmers
During the early weeks of the 2026 olive harvest in the West Bank, a group of Israeli settlers entered a Palestinian orchard while families were beginning to pick olives. The settlers, described as wearing black and carrying metal batons and firearms, opened fire on the workers. Ilham Al-Bazari, a farmer, said she froze as the violence erupted. Her husband, identified as 44-year-old Mr. Al-Bazari, was shot in the leg and later died from his injuries. A teenage nephew was also attacked; Ilham Al-Bazari jumped on him to shield him, resulting in a broken arm for herself. Ali Al-Bazari, an off-duty captain in the Palestinian Authority’s security forces who rushed to help, was shot in the back and died on the scene.
Background: A Violent Harvest Season
The incident occurred in what local observers describe as the most violent olive-picking season in recent memory. According to the Al-Bazari family, Mr. Al-Bazari was the first person killed during this year’s harvest, which is still weeks from its scheduled conclusion. The pattern of settler aggression against Palestinian farmers has been noted in previous seasons, but the current wave has seen a marked increase in lethal confrontations.
Official Responses
The Al-Bazari family reported that they called on nearby Israeli soldiers to permit an ambulance, but the soldiers allegedly refused. The Israeli military has not issued a comment on the specific case or on other similar incidents reported by Palestinians and journalists. No official Israeli statement has been released to confirm or deny the alleged refusal of medical assistance.
Impact and Ongoing Concerns
The deaths of Mr. and Ali Al-Bazari underscore heightened tensions surrounding agricultural work in the occupied territories. The incident has raised concerns among Palestinian farmers about safety during the harvest and about the ability to obtain timely medical aid when violence erupts. Human-rights observers note that the lack of an Israeli military response to inquiries may exacerbate fears of impunity for settler attacks, potentially affecting future harvests and the broader stability of the region.