World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Settlers attack Palestinian olive harvesters, injuring journalist in West Bank
About 80 Israeli settlers attacked olive harvesters near Abu Falah in the West Bank on Friday.
The villagers were picking olives when masked settlers threw rocks, and Palestinians threw stones back.
Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was among at least two injured; she said she was knocked down and kicked, and was taken to hospital in Ramallah.
Witnesses said Israeli soldiers arrived during the violence and fired tear gas toward Palestinians; the military said troops used riot-control measures to disperse the confrontation.
The army said it was investigating the violence, while a settler council gave a different account and accused Palestinians and activists of throwing stones and fireworks at Israelis.
The attack came amid at least 170 reported settler attacks since September 27, around the start of the olive harvest, according to Israeli monitoring group Yesh Din.
Olive harvesting is an annual tradition for Palestinians, and attacks on harvesters can threaten their access to farmland and the crop they rely on.
Settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters in Abu Falah in the occupied West Bank on Friday, injuring photojournalist Heidi Levine.
Levine, an American journalist who works for The Washington Post, was taken to a hospital in Ramallah.
Witnesses said masked settlers threw stones and beat people, while olive trees were set on fire.
Israeli forces fired tear gas during the incident, and a Palestinian man was reported shot in the leg.
Attacks on olive harvesters and property were also reported in Burqa and Turmus Ayya.
- Who
- Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters, including journalist Heidi Levine.
- What
- The attack involved beatings, stones and fires in olive groves. Several people were injured.
- When
- Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Abu Falah, in the occupied West Bank, northeast of Ramallah.
- Why
- A specific reason for the attack is Not stated. A farmer said settlers wanted to force Palestinians from their homes.
Palestinian farmers and witnesses
Binyamin Regional Council
Nature of the incident
Palestinian farmers and witnesses
A farmer said settlers attacked harvesters and wanted to force them from their homes.
Binyamin Regional Council
The council alleged the incident was a planned provocation and said journalists were behind Israelis filming their reaction.
Conduct during the clash
Palestinian farmers and witnesses
Witnesses said settlers attacked Palestinians and that Israeli soldiers fired tear gas in their direction.
Binyamin Regional Council
The council said hundreds of terrorists and anarchists threw stones and shot fireworks toward Israelis.
Settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters in Abu Falah and other West Bank locations.
Israeli forces arrived and fired tear gas in the direction of Palestinians, according to witnesses.
Levine was taken to a clinic in Abu Falah and then to a hospital in Ramallah.
- Main location
- Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah
- Journalist injured
- Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photojournalist
- Settlers at Abu Falah
- About 80, according to witnesses cited by the Times of Israel and Straits Times
- Other reported locations
- Burqa and Turmus Ayya
- West Bank attacks
- At least 170 since September 27, according to Yesh Din, as reported by the Straits Times
5 sources
Palestinians, US journalist attacked in West Bank pogrom: What we know
Photos show Israeli settler attacks disrupting the West Bank olive harvest
Settlers beat Palestinians, US journalist in West Bank attacks: ‘They kept kicking me and kicking me’
Israeli settlers burn olive trees, injure journalist in West Bank attack
What people are saying
I was attacked, pushed to the ground. Luckily I had my flak jacket and helmet, otherwise I probably wouldn’t even be here, because they just kept kicking me and kicking me.
The settlers want to attack us and force us from our homes.
We are outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job and urge a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities.
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مستوطنون يطلقون الرصاص الحي خلال اعتدائهم على قاطفي الزيتون في قرية أبو فلاح بالضفة الغربية #الأخبار