Israeli bulldozers uproot West Bank olive trees ahead of harvest season

Israeli bulldozers destroyed scores of olive trees in Palestinian villages near Jenin on Wednesday, as part of an ongoing campaign of uprooting olive groves across the occupied West Bank.

The latest operation targeted farmland in the villages of Ajjah and Zububa, near the separation barrier, weeks before Palestinian farmers were due to begin this year's olive harvest.

Zaki Jaradat, head of Zububa Village Council, said Israeli forces have uprooted more than 2,950 olive trees across more than 300 dunams of agricultural land since the start of the year.

Among those affected is Fuad Yahya Maqalda, whose family has cultivated olive trees on the land for generations.

From the rooftop of his home overlooking the family's land, Maqalda watched Israeli bulldozers move through the olive groves, uprooting trees that had stood for generations.

Unable to reach the site, he could only watch as the destruction unfolded below.

"We are unable to do anything," he told Middle East Eye. "We cannot understand the intentions behind this uprooting.

“The occupation uprooted olive trees that have stood on our land since the time of our grandparents."

Read more: Israeli bulldozers uproot West Bank olive trees ahead of harvest season