JENIN, September 2, 2026 (WAFA) – Israeli forces continued for a second consecutive day to level agricultural land and uproot trees in the town of Arraba, southwest of Jenin, while preventing farmers from accessing their land.
Arraba Mayor Ahmed al-Arda told WAFA that the bulldozing operations are concentrated in the agricultural lands surrounding the town, particularly along the Arraba-Ya'bad road and the area around the Arraba bus station. He noted that bulldozers are clearing land and uprooting trees on both sides of the roads, to a depth of 40 to 50 meters in some areas.
He added that the leveling extends from the Ya'bad junction toward Arraba Station and onward to Nablus Street. Around 223 dunams are currently being subjected to leveling and tree uprooting, while their owners are unable to access the land or prevent the attacks.
Al-Arda noted that owners of around 1,500 dunams of Arraba land adjacent to the Mabo Dotan settlement have been barred from accessing their property since 2023. Another 1,400 dunams near the Amik Dotan settlement have been damaged by Israeli measures and settler attacks.
He said that agriculture, particularly olive cultivation, is a primary source of income in Arraba, along with the town's plain, which farmers and sheep herders depend on. He noted that grazing areas have been damaged by Israeli colonists grazing their livestock there and by the prevention of access to several areas, including Al-Hafira and Ras al-Shamali, towards the Emek Dotan settlement.
He added that attacks by Israeli forces and colonists, including assaults involving tear gas and electric batons, have forced a number of farmers to abandon their land. He warned of the repercussions as the olive harvest season approaches, which usually begins after mid-October.
The resident said that he owns olive groves that he has been unable to access since October 7, 2023, emphasizing that coordination for access to some lands does not provide protection for farmers, given the ongoing attacks and the bulldozing of agricultural lands.
He added that the main road in the Araba plain has been extensively bulldozed, describing it as "complete destruction," while 54 structures in the town are now threatened with demolition, 13 of which have already been demolished.
Al-Arda warned that Israeli measures are not limited to economic losses but also threaten residents’ connection to their land and their continued presence there. He stressed that the people of Arraba remain committed to their land and agriculture despite ongoing attacks and measures aimed at severing their ties to their property.
Y.S
