Israeli forces raid West Bank towns amid surge in settler attacks
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Israeli forces stormed al-Mughayir and Nablus towns, injuring civilians as settler assaults reached their highest level in 12 years, UN agencies report.
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Israeli settlers take pictures of foreign activists and farmers while they attempt to disrupt the harvest of olive groves by Palestinian farmers, in the West Bank town of Silwad, Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (AP)
Israeli occupation forces on Saturday stormed the town of al-Mughayir, northeast of Ramallah, firing large quantities of tear gas, which caused several cases of suffocation among Palestinian residents.
In Beit Furik, east of Nablus, the occupation forces also targeted local residents with live bullets and tear gas canisters during a raid on the town.
Meanwhile, three Palestinian women were injured after being assaulted by settlers in the town of Tell, south of Nablus, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that October was the most violent month for settler attacks in the occupied West Bank in 12 years.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 126 settler assaults were recorded across 70 towns in the West Bank last month, resulting in the destruction of more than 4,000 olive trees and seedlings.
Settlers attack olive harvesters
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported a significant surge in settler violence during this year’s olive harvest season in the occupied West Bank, the highest recorded in the past five years.
According to the report, 126 settler attacks were documented across 70 towns, resulting in the vandalism of over 4,000 olive trees and saplings. These attacks have impacted the livelihoods of numerous Palestinian families who depend on the olive harvest as a vital economic and cultural activity.
OCHA noted that settlers from newly established barriers have placed restrictions on Palestinians attempting to reach their olive groves.
In just one week, 60 separate attacks were recorded, highlighting the intensity of the aggression. These incidents included physical assaults, damage to property, and obstruction of access to agricultural lands.
At least 17 Palestinians were injured in settler-led assaults during the past week alone, while 19 vehicles were vandalized. In a recent incident east of Qalqilya, settlers attacked olive harvesters, injuring two people.
