Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and a US journalist during olive harvest operations in the occupied West Bank, the BBC reported after witnessing the violence near the village of Abu Falah.
A local council member said the attacks injured 12 Palestinians, including four with US citizenship. Washington Post journalist Heidi Levine was also wounded. Levine described being jumped by settlers who kicked her repeatedly for at least 10 minutes while she held her camera and bag. She wore a helmet and flak jacket that provided some protection. Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray said Levine had been "clearly identifiable as a journalist" and called for a thorough investigation.
Majdi Fheed, a Palestinian American, suffered deep head wounds from nail-studded sticks wielded by settlers. His elderly mother was also injured. Another man reported that settlers burned three cars, including his own, and attacked harvesters with sticks as soon as they arrived on the land.
The BBC witnessed settlers in black clothing setting fire to olive trees as Palestinian farmers worked. When Israeli forces arrived, the confrontation escalated. Settlers advanced toward the farmers using slingshots to throw stones. Some Palestinians set off fireworks to push back the settlers. Live ammunition fire cracked across the fields before Israeli forces deployed tear gas to end the confrontation.
The UN reported that settler attacks during this year's olive harvest have killed one Palestinian and injured more than 120 others across the West Bank. The UN also noted that attacks in the past two weeks exceeded the total number of incidents during the entire harvest season last year.
All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. Outposts, which are small encampments on hilltops, are illegal under Israeli law as well, though many receive state support. Palestinian landowner Amin Khalil said his property was surrounded by seven Jewish settlements and outposts.
The Israel Defense Forces said personnel were dispatched "following a report of a violent confrontation" and that a female journalist had been injured. The IDF said it would examine "all circumstances" surrounding the incident.
A US State Department spokesperson said the department condemned "criminal violence by any party in the West Bank" and called for investigations, arrests and convictions of those responsible.