Inside the anatomy of Israeli settler land grabs: outposts, violence and impunity

An assault during harvest

Palestinian families traditionally gather in their groves during olive harvest season. On October 14, masked men carrying pistols, knives, pipes, sticks and a hammer surrounded Shamsa and his son, he told Al Jazeera.

Shamsa said the beating lasted at least 20 minutes. He showed bruises and healing stab wounds, and said he lost consciousness; three days later, his son was still unable to speak from shock. Shamsa said the attackers came from an Israeli outpost on a nearby hill.

Precautions offer little protection

Shamsa said that in nearby villages, settlers wait until farmers finish picking before taking their harvest and equipment. He fears that violence may eventually drive farmers away from their groves.

Outposts and government support

Settlers established 62 new outposts in 2024, backed by 75 million shekels ($20m) in government funding. Peace Now, an Israeli NGO, says the government has directed at least 100 million shekels ($30m) to outposts and farms for security equipment and infrastructure, including roads, vehicles, drones, cameras and electric gates. The government also retroactively legalises outposts.

In Beita, Israel authorised the Evyatar outpost, first established in 2013, as a settlement in 2024. Residents said three smaller outposts have appeared around it since then.

Land laws and limited recourse

Shamsa fears that if farmers abandon their groves for years, Israel could cut down the trees and claim the land as state property. He asked, “Who are we supposed to complain to? Complain to the one oppressing you?”

The article says the Israeli army protects settlers and Palestinians rarely obtain recourse through the legal system. Al Jazeera said it contacted the Israeli military for comment but had not received a response.