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October 18, 2025 – Palestine –
In the village of Kobar, north of Ramallah in the central occupied West Bank, Israeli troops opened fire and deployed stun grenades and tear gas against Palestinian farmers and journalists attempting to harvest olives on October 18, 2025.
The farmers were trying to reach their groves in the Qanater and Daak areas after a ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court had temporarily allowed access, despite the military previously barring passage to the land. According to firsthand reports, soldiers prevented them from entering and fired when they attempted to proceed, though no injuries were officially reported.
Simultaneously, Palestinian journalists and their camera crews—wearing press vests and protective reporting gear—came under direct attack. In video evidence shared online and through local media, Israeli forces are shown throwing stun and tear-gas grenades at the reporters, shouting at them, and forcing them away from the filming site.
The incidents underscore a broader pattern of intimidation during the olive harvest, a crucial seasonal activity for Palestinian farmers both economically and culturally. The presence of journalists covering the harvest appears to add an element of risk, as they documented the access denials and aggression. The New Arab described the harvest season in this region as “dangerous” due to repeated attacks on journalists and farmers alike.
The timing of these assaults is significant: olive-harvesting is not only a livelihood but also a symbol of Palestinian resilience and identity. Journalists covering the process are driving visibility of the farmers’ plight, yet they themselves face mounting obstacles, from forced removal to outright targeting.
In light of the events, press-freedom advocates are sounding alarms that the pattern of impunity and targeted aggression is deepening. The frontline in this conflict is no longer limited to combat zones—it includes reporters and harvesters on land whose access is contested and often militarised.
Reference –
https://www.newarab.com/news/israel-forces-attack-journalists-covering-w-bank-olive-harvest
