Israeli settlers attack Palestinians harvesting olives in the West Bank
Palestinians picking olives in the occupied West Bank were attacked by people Reuters journalists identified as Israeli settlers. At least two people were injured.
Palestinians who were harvesting olives in the occupied West Bank of the Jordan River were attacked, and Reuters journalists who witnessed the incident say the assailants were Israeli settlers, meaning residents of Israeli settlements in the occupied territory. The incident matters because the Palestinian side says attacks on farmers become more frequent during the olive harvest season.
What witnesses saw
According to the news agency, the attackers set olive trees on fire. Gunshots could be heard at the scene. The details were also relayed by "Aktuaalne kaamera", the news programme of Estonian public broadcaster ERR.
Casualties
Palestinian medics report that at least two people were hurt. One of them is a photographer for The Washington Post newspaper, who said he was beaten and had his cameras and phone taken from him.
Positions of the sides
The Palestinian side states that assaults on farmers grow more frequent in the olive harvest season. The Israeli side has not yet commented on what happened.