Thousands of Olive Trees Torn from Roots in al-Mughayyir as Occupation Continues

Nearly 3,000 olive trees were uprooted this week by Israeli forces in the Palestinian village of al-Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah, according to local officials. Bulldozers entered the area on August 23, accompanied by military vehicles, destroying trees that villagers say were centuries old.

Olive trees are central to Palestinian life—providing food, oil, and income for more than 100,000 families. The olive sector contributes 14% of agricultural income in the West Bank and Gaza, and for many families, these groves represent heritage and identity.

The destruction comes amid a surge in land seizures and settlement expansion. In 2024 alone, more than 26,100 olive trees were uprooted across the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian rights groups. Since 1967, an estimated 800,000 olive trees have been destroyed through uprooting, burning, or vandalism.

Village Council Head Arrested

The standoff in al-Mughayyir ended on Saturday evening with the arrest of council head Amin Abu Aliya. His son was detained first, after which the Israeli army told him he needed to surrender to resolve the situation.

Before being taken into custody, Abu Aliya shared a video message explaining that the siege would only end if he turned himself in. “I sacrifice my freedom for my family, and I have provided every service I could to the country without discrimination,” he said.

According to the Palestinian Anti-Wall and Settlement Commission, Israeli authorities issued a military order to uproot trees across 297 dunams of Al-Mughayyir’s land, citing “security reasons” linked to settlement expansion.