Israeli Settler Incursions Deepen Woes for West Bank Farmers

Recent heightened violence in urban areas, like Jenin city and refugee camps, with increased Israeli army raids resulting in casualties, has added to their distress.

According to the Ministry of Health, Israeli forces have killed at least 237 Palestinians and injured about 2,850 others in the occupied West Bank since October 7.

Ayman Assad, a farmer living close to the violence, expressed how his family lives in constant fear due to the ongoing attacks and blocked routes, preventing his children from attending school.

The worry extends to his chicken farm in Area C, where he fears attacks by Israeli settlers. The Palestinian territory's agricultural significance, especially in olives and vegetables, holds symbolic importance to the people.

The West Bank, occupied since 1967, has witnessed an illegal influx of about 700,000 Israeli settlers, perpetuating theft and destruction of Palestinian property and land for years.

Abbas Milhem, director of the Palestinian Farmers’ Union, highlighted the increased armed raids by Israeli forces and settlers during curfews, impacting civilians and livelihoods.

Incidents of settlers stealing olives and intimidating workers, as recounted by Iman Abdallah Jawabri, reflect the continued threats faced by Palestinian farmers.

Milhem emphasized the severity of the situation, calling it a "second war in Palestine," affecting the West Bank and its residents.

The ongoing conflict has disrupted lives and economies, causing increased poverty and economic decline, according to UN reports.

Salah Awwad, another farmer, faced loss and violence as settlers destroyed his property, leaving him and his family displaced, unable to work, and surrounded by armed settlers.

Awwad's plight mirrors the challenges faced by many Palestinian farmers, their livelihoods devastated by violence and restrictions imposed by the conflict.

Despite the hardships, Awwad remains determined to remain on his land, hoping for a better future despite the ongoing turmoil and threats.

According to Human Rights Watch, Israeli security forces have killed more Palestinians in the occupied West Bank between January 1 and October 6 this year than in any year since 2005, when the United Nations began recording fatalities. This has raised Palestinian fears for their safety and the safety of their families, in addition to their fears for their livelihoods.

Being unable to move around the West Bank to work since October 7 due to the vastly increased raids and curfews by Israeli forces and armed settlers means Palestinians are facing a crisis.

According to the UN, poverty has increased by 20 percent and gross domestic product declined by 4.2 percent since October 7.