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Palestinian villagers in the West Bank have mourned the destruction of olive trees after they say Israeli military bulldozers uprooted them days before the annual harvest. The Israeli military said it was reviewing a request for comment. It has previously cited security concerns for clearing olive trees, while Palestinian human rights groups say the practice deprives farmers of income and damages a symbol of their connection to the land. The olive harvest, which usually begins in early October, is a key part of Palestinian agriculture, supporting more than 60,000 jobs and accounting for around 8 per cent of GDP.


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Palestinian villagers in the West Bank have mourned the destruction of olive trees after they say Israeli military bulldozers uprooted them days before the annual harvest.

The Israeli military said it was reviewing a request for comment. It has previously cited security concerns for clearing olive trees, while Palestinian human rights groups say the practice deprives farmers of income and damages a symbol of their connection to the land.

The olive harvest, which usually begins in early October, is a key part of Palestinian agriculture, supporting more than 60,000 jobs and accounting for around 8 per cent of GDP.