UN and PLO Report Surge in West Bank Olive Harvest Attacks

The United Nations Human Rights Office and the Palestinian Liberation Organization have reported a surge of attacks by Israeli colonists and military forces targeting olive harvests in the West Bank. The UN Human Rights Office characterized these actions as tools for the displacement and dispossession of Palestinian communities, noting that attacks often occurred with the protection of Israeli forces.

Data from the Palestinian Commission Against the Wall and Settlements recorded 409 attacks between October 1 and 21, 2026, with settlers responsible for 317 incidents and the Israeli army for 92. These attacks included arson, the theft of harvested olives, and physical assaults on farmers. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs separately recorded at least 160 attacks during the first two weeks of October, including the use of live ammunition and the destruction of centuries-old trees.

Beyond the West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture reported that 286,000 olive trees were damaged in the West Bank by late September, while approximately 90 percent of the 2 million olive trees in Gaza have been destroyed since October 2023. In response, the UN and the Protection Cluster have urged member states to increase their diplomatic presence in high-risk areas and pressure Israel to end colonial expansion and ensure safe agricultural access for Palestinians.