Recently, the United Nations issued a condemnation of the actions of Israeli settlers during the critical olive harvest season in Palestinian territories. With reports indicating that 160 attacks were carried out against Palestinians, the UN highlighted property damage and demolitions that resulted in the forced displacement of 96 Palestinians. This marks a year since a ceasefire agreement was brokered in the region, emphasizing the fragility of the current situation. More details can be found here.
The olive harvest holds significant economic and cultural value for Palestinian families. It provides an essential source of food and income, deeply intertwined with cultural heritage. Experts note that the destruction of olive trees deprives families of a critical resource and destabilizes local food systems, cultural traditions, and economic stability. The ongoing violence exacerbates food insecurity in Gaza, a situation impacting 1.4 million people, and this is expected to worsen due to funding cuts by the UN Food Programme.
In September 2026, military orders led to the clearing of 84 acres in regions such as Jenin and Beit Rima. These orders often come with demands for immediate compliance, further challenging Palestinian farmers’ livelihoods. Palestinians have faced restrictions through a “coordination mechanism” described by the human rights group B’Tselem, where the military informs farmers of permissible harvest days. The system is criticized as largely symbolic, with reports of soldiers themselves participating in violence.
The use of “state land” designations by Israeli military authorities, as reported by the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Council, presents another challenge. This tactic, used to confiscate land and expand settlements, prevents Palestinian farmers from accessing their lands. The forced evacuations violate Article 49 of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits forcible transfers and deportations from an occupied territory.
Reports from Amnesty International in October 2026 revealed the gravity of the situation, noting that 1,400 Palestinians had been killed within a year. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also condemned recent demolitions that displaced additional Palestinian families, adding to the ongoing humanitarian concerns in the region.