HEBRON, November 3, 2024 (WAFA) — Israeli occupation forces and colonists forcibly prevented farmers today in the town of Tarqumia, located west of Hebron, from accessing their olive groves during the crucial harvesting season.

Osama Jarrar, the Director of Agriculture in Hebron, reported that colonists, along with soldiers, compelled residents to leave their lands in the al-Taybeh area of Tarqumia. Jarrar pointed out that approximately 3,000 dunums of land planted with olive trees were left unharvested as a result of this aggression.

Furthermore, he noted that numerous areas within the governorate, including Tel Rumeida, Farsh al-Hawa, and lands adjacent to the colonial settlement of Kiryat Arba, were off-limits to farmers due to restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities.

Meanwhile, Suleiman Jaafra, a local activist, confirmed that hundreds of farmers from various families in Tarqumia faced similar treatment. They were denied access to their olive groves near the Adora and Telem colonist outposts, which have been established on Palestinian land on the outskirts of the town.

Jaafra added that despite having obtained permits from the Israeli authorities to access their lands, the farmers were still forcibly removed by Israeli forces, leaving them unable to collect their harvest.

Palestinian farmers have been facing ongoing harassment from Israeli occupation forces and colonists that impede their access to their fields, resulting in significant financial losses and exacerbating their daily hardships under occupation.

Current estimates indicate that farmers may be unable to access around 80,000 dunums of olive-grove land due to threats from colonists and military presence, which could lead to a loss of approximately 15% of this year's olive harvest.

The olive harvest is a crucial period for many families in the area, and such actions have a dire impact on local livelihoods and food security.

M.N