Masked settlers attack Palestinian olive harvesters near Sa’ir; At least five injured
The IDF said soldiers and Border Police were sent to an olive grove following reports of clashes
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians gathering olives near the village of Sa'ir in the southern West Bank on Friday, according to footage shared online and information released by the Israeli military.
The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that at least five Palestinians were injured and a Palestinian vehicle was vandalized.
The IDF said soldiers and Border Police were sent to an olive grove following reports of clashes. Security forces dispersed those involved and declared the area a closed military zone, while permitting Palestinian farmers to continue harvesting.
The military later received reports that dozens of masked Israelis had arrived in vehicles in the same area. The attackers reportedly left before troops reached the scene.
While heading there, soldiers spotted two suspicious vehicles and fired warning shots, the IDF said. Both vehicles fled toward a nearby unauthorized Israeli outpost. The military said an inspection of one vehicle discovered a Palestinian license plate suspected of having been stolen.
The IDF condemned the violence, saying such attacks undermine stability, disrupt security operations and draw troops away from their assigned missions.
The incident occurred during the olive harvest, when Palestinian farmers frequently faced tensions and violence in parts of the West Bank. Israeli authorities did not announce whether any arrests had been made.