West Bank – Seven months have passed since Palestinian farmer Bilal Saleh was killed in his olive grove, yet the wound remains fresh for his family. The 52-year-old father was tending to the land he inherited from his father when he was fatally shot by an Israeli settler.
“Every olive tree holds a memory of my father,” says his son, Mohammed Bilal, gazing over the sprawling grove. “He taught me how to care for them, just as his father taught him. Now, tending to them alone feels like a burden too heavy to bear.”
Bilal’s widow, Ikhlas Hamid Saleh, clutches a faded photograph of her husband. “He was a man of peace,” she recalls softly. “He believed the land could provide for us all if we shared it. His absence has left a void nothing can fill.”
The loss has rippled through the community. Sami Shahen, a close friend of Bilal, describes him as a pillar of their village. “He was always the first to lend a hand,” Sami notes. “His death has shaken us, but it has also strengthened our resolve to seek justice and peace.”
The incident highlights the enduring tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinian residents in the West Bank. Despite international calls for de-escalation, sporadic violence persists, impacting the lives of countless families.
“We want the world to know our story,” Mohammed appeals. “Not out of a desire for revenge, but in hopes that no other family endures this pain.”
As the olive harvest approaches, Bilal’s family prepares to honor his legacy by continuing the work he cherished. “This land is our home,” Ikhlas asserts. “We will nurture it, just as Bilal would have wanted.”
Their story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of the conflict and a testament to the resilience of those who continue to live in its shadow.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
