The Israeli military has uprooted approximately 3,000 olive trees in the Palestinian village of al-Mughayyir, located northeast of Ramallah. The action has angered residents who believe it is part of a broader strategy to displace communities from their ancestral lands.
According to Marzouq Abu Naim, the deputy head of the village council, the Israeli army issued orders to clear a 0.27 sq km (0.1 sq mile) plot of farmland. The military claimed the trees posed a “security threat” to a nearby Israeli settlement road.
Abu Naim told the Palestinian news agency Wafa that soldiers raided over 30 homes early Saturday, causing damage to property and vehicles.
The destruction has devastated families in al-Mughayyir, a village of about 4,000 people where olive farming and livestock are the primary sources of income. Palestinian researcher Hamza Zubeidat said, “This area is one of the most fertile parts of Ramallah. By uprooting trees, confiscating water springs, and blocking farmers’ access, Israel is creating more food and water insecurity.”
Part of a Long-Running Policy
The removal of olive trees in the occupied West Bank is not new. For decades, Israel has targeted agricultural land, which Palestinians view as both an economic lifeline and a cultural symbol. Rights groups say such measures are part of a systematic effort to seize land and force Palestinians out.
Zubeidat noted that since 1967, Israel has continued a “continuous process” of eviction from both rural areas and cities. “This is not new; it’s the same plan being implemented for decades,” he said.
Escalation of Violence in the West Bank
The incident comes amid a rise in violence in the West Bank during Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), there have been more than 2,370 settler attacks on Palestinians between January and July 2024. The Ramallah region alone accounted for 585 incidents, followed closely by 479 in Nablus.
OCHA also reported that at least 671 Palestinians—including 129 children—were killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank during the same period. Tens of thousands have been displaced, contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis.
For Palestinians, olive trees represent more than economic stability. They symbolize heritage, identity, and a deep connection to the land. The loss of thousands of trees in al-Mughayyir has left many residents fearful of further land seizures and forced displacement.
