HEBRON, October 27, 2017 (WAFA) - Israeli settlers attacked on Friday Palestinian olive pickers in Masafer Yatta area to the south of Hebron in the West Bank, said a local activist.

Anti-settlement activist, Rateb al-Jabour, told WAFA settlers from the settlement of Ma’on, built illegally on Yatta town land, physically attacked farmers harvesting their olives in Masafer Yatta area, causing them, including a woman, cuts and bruises throughout their bodies.

Settlers regularly attack Palestinian farmers during the annual olive harvest season and either steal their crops or prevent them from reaching their lands, in addition to destroying or cutting down olive trees.

Solidarity groups usually accompany farmers as they harvest in land near the settlements to shield them from settlers’ attacks.

The olive harvest season is considered the most important for thousands of Palestinian families in the Israeli-occupied territories due to its contribution to the families’ income bracket.

T.R.