Israeli Settlers Destroy 100 Olive Trees in West Bank Amid Escalating Violence

Illegal Israeli settlers razed approximately 100 mature olive trees in Turmus Aya, northeast of Ramallah, on Monday—the latest in a surge of attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu Agency reported. Local farmer Mostafa Abu al-Zalaf reported the destroyed trees were over 12 years old, emphasizing that such assaults occur routinely under Israeli military protection.

Official data from the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reveals 1,693 documented attacks by Israeli forces and settlers in April alone, with settlers responsible for 341 incidents. Since October 2023, nearly 960 Palestinians have been killed and 7,000 wounded in West Bank violence, per Palestinian authorities.

The destruction follows the International Court of Justice’s 2024 ruling that Israel’s occupation violates international law, ordering the dismantling of West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements.