Israeli forces uprooted dozens of olive trees on Tuesday along both sides of the road connecting the towns of Arraba and Ya’bad, southwest of Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank.
Local sources said Israeli bulldozers and other heavy machinery, protected by soldiers, uprooted and destroyed olive trees along both sides of the road connecting Arraba and Ya’bad, which serves the surrounding farmland.
The targeted trees included mature, long-standing olive trees as well as newly planted ones, threatening the agricultural livelihoods of several local landowners, including farmers.
Farmers expressed concern that the uprooting could extend into additional agricultural lands amid ongoing construction and colonial expansion around Arraba.
The uprooting comes amid repeated Israeli actions affecting agricultural lands across Jenin Governorate, including land bulldozing, tree removal, and restrictions on farmers’ access to their property. Palestinians say these measures tighten Israeli control over Palestinian land and facilitate colonial expansion.
Local residents said Israeli authorities had previously ordered landowners in the area to remove olive trees, including ancient and newly planted ones. The notices cited “securing roads and protecting the movement of colonizers” as the justification.
