Israeli Bulldozers Begin Road Construction in West Bank

Israeli bulldozers started constructing a road between the villages of Turah and Um Dar, west of Jenin, in the occupied West Bank, on Wednesday morning. Local residents have expressed fears that the road may facilitate further land confiscation and restrict access to agricultural lands.

The construction comes as the Jenin region faces increasing pressure on its agricultural lands. According to a report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 40% of the lands added to the area requiring prior coordination for access during the olive harvest season are in Jenin. The report, released on October 15, also noted the establishment of approximately 12 new Israeli settlement outposts in the region over the past year, based on data from the Israeli human rights organization Peace Now.

Concurrently, field reports indicate that 13 attacks were carried out by Israeli soldiers and settlers in recent hours, targeting olive harvesters, their lands, and agricultural properties. These attacks resulted in injuries to farmers and supporters, the arrest of one citizen, and the detention of others. Additionally, there were reports of beatings, theft of crops and harvesting equipment, vehicle damage, and prevention of access to lands. These incidents occurred alongside the establishment of a new settlement outpost in the midst of olive groves.

These attacks are part of a broader escalation accompanying the olive harvest season in the West Bank. OCHA documented 272 settlement-related attacks between September 1 and October 19, resulting in the death of one Palestinian, injuries to 200 others, and damage to over 3,200 olive trees and seedlings. This poses a threat to the livelihoods of farmers and their ability to remain on their lands.