Palestinian ministry says settler attack on West Bank olive harvesters killed one man

A Palestinian was killed and others were wounded on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. Palestinian health officials say the attack targeted Palestinians harvesting olives in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Al Jazeera, Reuters and Anadolu all reported the death.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said the killing occurred near the village of Burqa, in the Nablus area. The ministry attributed the attack to Israeli settlers. Al Jazeera's report places Burqa both northwest and west of Nablus.

According to Al Jazeera, the ministry identified the man killed as Ali Hassan Yasser al-Bazzari, 44, from Burqa. The reports do not describe how he was killed.

Several of the wounded, including a woman, were taken to hospitals in Tulkarem and Nablus. Al Jazeera cited this from the Wafa news agency, which quoted local sources. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said its teams treated five people in the area. Two had gunshot wounds and three had been beaten, according to Wafa as cited by Al Jazeera.

Elsewhere, several Palestinians harvesting olives near Anata, in the central West Bank, were assaulted by Israeli forces and settlers, according to Wafa as cited by Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera correspondent Nida Ibrahim said at least 45,000 olive trees have been destroyed across the occupied West Bank this year. Al Jazeera's report does not state the origin of this figure. Ibrahim, reporting from Ramallah, said: "If you just go to pick your olives now … you could not return from the journey. It could be dangerous, not only because of Israeli restrictions against farmers going to their lands, but also because of the armed Israeli settlers who continue to assault Palestinians."

What is disputed

Reports give different numbers of injured. Al Jazeera, citing Palestinian authorities, reported 16 wounded at 12:38 UTC. Anadolu's headline, published at 10:39 UTC, said 12 were injured. Its summary does not show a source. The earlier publication time may reflect an earlier tally. The Red Crescent's figure of five people treated covers only its own teams.

What each side says

Palestinian authorities say settlers carried out the attack under the protection of Israeli forces, according to Al Jazeera. The Red Crescent said Israeli forces assaulted ambulance crews trying to reach the injured. It said the forces briefly detained three paramedics and a volunteer. Al Jazeera reported these allegations.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include any response from the Israeli military, the Israeli government or Israeli police. They do not include any account from settlers or their representatives. They also include no Israeli response to the Red Crescent's allegations. The reports contain no independent verification of the attackers' identity. They also contain none for the claim that Israeli forces protected them.

What is not known

The reports do not say whether anyone was arrested or whether an investigation has been opened. Reuters and Anadolu coverage reviewed by Vocemundi is limited to headlines and summaries.

Analysis

The core account comes mainly from Palestinian officials. Al Jazeera and Reuters both credit the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Anadolu's sourcing is not visible. Without Israeli or settler accounts, key questions remain open. These include who carried out the attack, how the man died, and what role Israeli forces played. An official Israeli statement, an investigation or independent documentation could clarify or change the picture. The incident fits wider reports of tension during the olive harvest. It does not by itself establish a trend. Further casualty figures may also be revised as reporting develops.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.