The escalation of settler attacks in the West Bank, the visit of the Lebanese Prime Minister to Nabatieh, and aviation developments in Iraq

Settlers in the West Bank began their annual war against the olive season by killing a Palestinian and wounding others in a series of attacks in large areas, threatening the season that the Palestinians are eagerly awaiting.

Settlers killed Bahaa al-Natsheh (19 years old) in an attack on the town of Kober, north of Ramallah, on Friday, and wounded others in widespread attacks on Saturday. Since the morning, on a day that is considered “sacred” for Jews and during which they do not move, they carried out a series of attacks, the most violent of which was in the village of Osrin near Nablus, which they stormed in large numbers, targeting the village’s homes, Palestinian vehicles, and olive pickers.

Video footage showed settlers storming the village, and pictures from the scene showed wounded people, including a Palestinian in his fifties, covered in his own blood after he and others were attacked with batons.

Israeli media outlets, including Channel 12 and Maariv, headlined about the loss of control and chaos in the West Bank. Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said that a number of Palestinians were injured in attacks launched by settlers in the West Bank during the olive harvest season, including a man in his fifties who was severely beaten with batons near Nablus.

The newspaper added: “The reports of the recent attacks come in light of a series of acts of violence committed by the Hill Youth, acts that not only make the army’s mission more difficult, but also increase the heavy burden placed on the soldiers’ shoulders, raise concerns about inflaming the West Bank, and increase international pressure on Israel, with increasing warnings about additional sanctions being planned.”

Later, the Israeli army confirmed the settlers' attack on Osrin. He said in a statement that he was “investigating and condemning the events,” and that he had “begun searches for the rioters who fled before his arrival” in Osrin.

He added: “The Israeli army strongly condemns such events and stresses that they harm defense efforts in the region.” This is not the first condemnation by the Israeli army of settler attacks, but on the ground it does not prevent them in practice.

Also on Saturday, settlers attacked the village of Burin, south of Nablus, and targeted farmers while they were picking olives. They seized agricultural equipment and olives, and wounded three Palestinians. They also attacked farmers in the nearby town of Beita.

In a separate context, the visit of the Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, to the city of Nabatieh in the south of the country, on Friday, came at a time that carries clear political connotations. The visit came after a peace tour in New York and Washington. He carried with him the file of the South, the Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction, and the role of the state.

In Iraq, the government of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi obtained American approval to operate 40 flights daily to and from Najaf Airport for Iranian airlines, with the exception of Mahan, which was welcomed by figures and destinations allied with Iran in Iraq.