Arabic version: هجمات المستوطنين تطال قاطفي الزيتون وصحفية ودبلوماسيين

According to Al Jazeera, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recorded more than 200 Israeli attacks on Palestinian farmers since September 1, exceeding the 185 documented during the entire 2025 olive harvest season. The attacks have killed one Palestinian, injured more than 120 people and damaged more than 2,500 trees.

On October 16 in Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah, about 80 masked settlers armed with clubs charged Palestinians harvesting olives. Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine, 63, fell and was beaten for more than 10 minutes, according to videos and her account. She suffered broken ribs, required hand surgery, and had her camera, phone and passport stolen. Israeli activist Jonathan Pollak said soldiers later shot village council member Abdel Jaber Obeid in the thigh.

Masked settlers with clubs also attacked a delegation in Taybeh, east of Ramallah, on Saturday. The group included Belgium’s consul general, French and Polish diplomats, and church representatives. A Belgian consulate vehicle window was smashed, while French mayor Bernard Baudoux, 78, was kicked and beaten. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was “very disturbed”, and France demanded arrests. On Monday, police and Shin Bet launched “Operation Olive Leaf”, arresting 10 Israelis in raids near Ofra and Shiloh connected to attacks on foreign journalists and diplomats.

Other reported attacks included injuries to residents in Beit Lid, Burqa and Ma’in; vehicles burned in Turmus Aya; and a mosque set on fire in Mikhmas. In Gaza, Israel said on October 14 that no commercial goods would be allowed to enter, citing a dispute over a per-truck fee. Residents reported sharp price rises, while the World Food Programme said it would reduce the number of people it feeds monthly from 1.6 million to 1.1 million. Gaza’s Health Ministry said 466 people have died of malnutrition since 2024.