Settlers attack Palestinian olive pickers near Abu Falah

Around 80 masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian olive pickers near Abu Falah on October 16, burning olive trees and throwing stones in an assault that left two people injured, according to witnesses and Palestinian medics. The villagers had gathered in a terraced grove for the annual harvest when the settlers came down from a nearby hill. Some carried gas canisters, and some used slings to throw stones, witnesses said. Villagers moved down the hillside, then threw stones back, according to the account. Palestinian medics said two people were injured and taken to hospitals near Ramallah. One was Heidi Levine, a photojournalist with The Washington Post. The circumstances and severity of the injuries were not specified in the reports. Israeli military jeeps entered the area while the confrontation was underway. Witnesses said the attack continued after their arrival, and soldiers fired tear gas toward Palestinians who had moved away from the vehicles. A Reuters photographer saw at least one armed settler fire a gun. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Abu Falah attack followed another confrontation that morning near Turmus Ayya,...