Israeli Settlers Attack West Bank Olive Harvesters, Set Vehicles On Fire

Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers harvesting olives in Turmus Ayya, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Friday, setting fire to cars and damaging property. “The settlers were lying in wait for farmers working on their land and attacked them, burning three vehicles," Mayor of Turmus Ayya, Nawaf Zghoul said in a video posted on social media. "What you see here is clear evidence of the crimes committed by settler groups," he added. Attacks and clashes were also reported in other villages across the West Bank with several reported injured, this is the latest in a wave of violence during this year’s olive harvest. Palestinians reported early morning attacks in at least eight villages in the northern West Bank. Residents awoke to find trees and cars set on fire in fields outside their villages. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said six people were injured in two separate attacks it had responded to. The emergency responders said a 63-year-old woman and 40-year-old man were taken to the hospital after being beaten by settlers during an attack on the town of Abu Falah, outside of Ramallah. Israel has imposed new rules on the olive harvest this year, prohibiting Palestinians from harvesting in what’s known as Area C, which is under Israeli security control and encompasses the majority of the territory’s agricultural land. So far this season, at least four Palestinians have been killed and more than 100 injured, according to Palestinian officials. They say thousands of trees have been damaged, costing farmers hundreds of thousands of dollars. Israel's police and army did not immediately respond to questions about the attacks.