Israeli bulldozers uproot olive groves near Ramallah before harvest

September 24, 2026 at 08:32 AM2 min

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Israeli army bulldozers uprooted olive groves in Deir Nidham near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on September 23, 2026, weeks before the annual harvest. Palestinian farmers said the destruction targeted trees that produce about 120 drums of olive oil per family each year. The Israeli military had not responded to a request for comment by Wednesday evening.

Key Facts

The demolition in Deir Nidham started on Monday and continued on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
Farmer Nather Tamimi said his family produced about 120 drums of olive oil from the land each year.
The Palestinian Authority's Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said Israeli attacks on agricultural land in August affected 21,508 trees, including 19,375 olive trees.
The commission estimated this year's olive production at 21,000 tonnes, compared with local demand of about 15,000 tonnes.

The Uprooting

Israeli army bulldozers ploughed through rows of olive trees in Deir Nidham near Ramallah on September 23, 2026, as farmers prepared for the October harvest. Landowner Abd Alfattah Tamimi said the army destroyed olive trees on his family's land and his neighbours' land. Another farmer, Nather Tamimi, said the Israeli army also uprooted all kinds of trees even from between the houses. Nather Tamimi told Reuters the timing was designed to inflict maximum damage ahead of harvest season.

Impact on Farmers

Nather Tamimi said his family produced about 120 drums of olive oil from the land each year. Palestinian human rights groups say the destruction deprives farmers of income from olives and olive oil. The groups view the uprooted trees as a symbol of Palestinian connection to the land. The Palestinian Authority's Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reported that Israeli attacks on agricultural land in August affected 21,508 trees, including 19,375 olive trees.

Official Response

Israel's military said it was checking Reuters' request for comment but had not responded by Wednesday evening. In the past, Israel has cited the need to clear olive trees to prevent security threats or ambushes on troops. The Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission estimated this year's olive production at 21,000 tonnes, compared with local demand of about 15,000 tonnes.