Palestinians pick olives amid growing violence in the West Bank

In the occupied West Bank, the traditional seasonal task of gathering olives has transformed into a hazardous endeavor for local residents, including those who identify as palestinians. Farmers in the village of Beita are forced to begin their daily work as early as five in the morning to navigate the heightened risks associated with the ongoing situation. ## Early Morning Harvesting and Road Barricades To protect themselves and their crops, farmers resort to blocking local roadways using heavy stones. They maintain a constant vigil, watching closely for the approach of Israeli settlers so they can quickly escape if an assault occurs. According to reporting by Al Jazeera correspondent Leila Warah, these precautions have become a necessary part of the daily routine during the harvest period.

Olive harvesting in the occupied West Bank has become a deadly activity for farmers.

Since the month of September, documentation shows that more than two hundred attacks carried out by settlers have taken place across the region. This sharp increase in violence places agricultural workers under immense physical and psychological pressure while they attempt to secure their seasonal crops. ## Why it matters The escalation of violence during the olive harvest directly threatens the safety, livelihoods, and food security of farming communities in the occupied West Bank. This situation impacts local families who depend on the harvest for their yearly income, while drawing international concern regarding the protection of civilians in conflict zones.