Palestinian Woman Hospitalized After Attack by Masked Settler in West Bank
A 55-year-old Palestinian woman was hospitalized after being struck by a masked Israeli settler while harvesting olives in Turmus Ayya, West Bank.
A 55-year-old Palestinian woman, Afaf Abu Alia, was hospitalized after being struck on the head by a masked Israeli settler while harvesting olives in Turmus Ayya, a village in the occupied West Bank. The incident, which occurred on Sunday morning, was captured on video by U.S. journalist Jasper Nathaniel. Nathaniel reported that the settler knocked Abu Alia unconscious with a wooden stick and struck her again as she lay on the ground.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the confrontation was dispersed upon their arrival and that they "strongly condemn any form of violence" by settlers. However, Nathaniel contested this account, asserting that no Israeli forces were present during the attack. He alleged that soldiers had been on-site prior to the incident, "lured" him and others into an "ambush," and then "sped off" just before the settlers launched the assault.
Abu Alia, known locally as Umm Saleh, was initially admitted to an intensive care unit but is now in stable condition, according to doctors. Her cousin, Hamdi Abu Alia, stated that medical staff found she had been struck twice in the head.
This attack is part of a broader pattern of violence during the olive harvest season. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documented 260 olive harvest-related violent incidents by Israeli settlers in the West Bank during October and November 2024, affecting 89 Palestinian communities. These incidents included physical assaults, property damage, and theft of crops.
The olive harvest is a significant cultural and economic event for Palestinians. However, farmers face increasing challenges, including restricted access to their lands and violence from settlers. In 2024, Israel denied access to 35,000 dunums of land, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,365 tons of olive oil, valued at around $8.5 million.
The U.S. State Department declined to comment on the specific incident involving Abu Alia, citing "privacy and other considerations." They emphasized their commitment to the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad.
The attack on Abu Alia underscores the ongoing tensions and violence in the region, particularly during the olive harvest season, which is crucial for Palestinian livelihoods and cultural heritage.
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