Israeli settlers burn olive trees in West Bank harvest attack

Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians during a West Bank village's annual olive harvest on Friday, October 16, 2026. They burned olive trees and threw rocks in a coordinated attack that injured at least two people, including a journalist.

The settlers positioned themselves in front of terraced rows of olive trees. Some launched rocks with slings toward Palestinian villagers, who moved downhill before picking up stones and throwing them back to defend themselves.

Palestinian medics said two injured people were taken to hospitals in the Ramallah area. One was photojournalist Heidi Levine. Video showed her lying on her side on a dirt path, her hands covering her face, with at least three settlers around her.

Speaking later from a hospital bed, Levine said she had been pushed to the ground and repeatedly kicked. She was in stable condition and said her protective jacket and helmet had helped protect her.