'Israeli' settlers uproot dozens of olive trees near East Jerusalem

• Around 40 olive trees were damaged in Mukhmas.
• Attack follows recent 'Israeli' army demolitions in the town.
• Settler violence continues to rise across the occupied West Bank.

Illegal 'Israeli' settlers vandalized and uprooted around 40 olive trees on Sunday in the town of Mukhmas, northeast of East Jerusalem, according to local Palestinian authorities.

The Jerusalem Governorate said settlers stormed the al-Hayy area of Mukhmas and destroyed olive trees belonging to a Palestinian resident, describing the incident as part of a broader pattern of attacks targeting Palestinians and their land.

- Settler attacks intensify -

The governorate said the assault came only days after the 'Israeli' army demolished a public park and playground in the town, in what it described as growing pressure to impose control over the area.

Local officials added that illegal settlers recently set up a new outpost near Mukhmas, which has since turned into a base for repeated attacks on Palestinian farmers and agricultural land.

- Rising violence across the West Bank -

According to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, illegal 'Israeli' settlers carried out 621 attacks against Palestinians and their property across the occupied West Bank in November alone.

Palestinian figures show that since October 2023, 'Israeli' forces and illegal settlers have killed at least 1,093 Palestinians, injured nearly 11,000 others, and detained around 21,000 across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

- International legal context -

In July, the International Court of Justice issued a landmark advisory opinion declaring 'Israel’s' occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and calling for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.