Israeli police arrest 10 over settler attacks on journalist and diplomats in West Bank

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1. 52m ago

   Israeli Police Arrest 10 Settlers After Attacks on Journalist and Diplomats

   Israeli police arrested at least 10 suspected extremist settlers following weekend attacks in the West Bank targeting Palestinians, European diplomats, and a photojournalist. The arrests, conducted during Operation Olive Leaf, followed pressure from the United States, France, Belgium, and Poland. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee called the move a very positive development, while US officials condemned the original violence. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cast doubt on the attacks, and a photographer involved expressed feeling insulted by the Prime Minister's response.

   Why it matters

   The attacks occurred during the olive harvesting season, a period often marked by settler violence. This rare police raid reflects heightened international pressure on Israel to curb settler aggression. The incident involved officials from Belgium and other European nations.

   What is confirmed

   • Israeli police arrested at least 10 suspected extremist settlers in connection with West Bank attacks.
   • The targets of the attacks included Palestinians, European diplomats, and a photojournalist.
   • The arrests followed calls for action from the United States, France, Belgium, and Poland.
   • The police operation was named Operation Olive Leaf.
   • US Ambassador Mike Huckabee described the arrests as a very positive development.
   • The attacks took place during the olive harvesting season.

   Still unconfirmed

   • An Al Jazeera investigation challenges the Israeli account of the attack on Heidi Levine.
   • Suspected settlers involved in the attacks have been released.

   What to watch next

   • Official charges filed against the 10 detained suspects
   • Further responses from the Belgian and European governments regarding the arrests
   • Verification of the release status of the suspects
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. Reuters — Israeli settlers attack Palestinians, European diplomats in West Bank, Belgium says
   2. The New York Times — U.S. Officials Condemn West Bank Attacks as Netanyahu Casts Doubt on Them
   3. AP News — Photographer attacked by settlers in the West Bank feels insulted by Netanyahu
   4. CNN — Amid US pressure on settler violence, Israel arrests at least 10 suspected of West Bank attacks on journalist, diplomats
   5. BBC — Israeli police arrest 10 over settler attacks on journalist and diplomats in West Bank
   6. The Times of Israel — Daily Briefing Oct. 19 – Operation Olive Leaf: Police make rare arrest of 10 extremist settlers
   7. Al Jazeera — Al Jazeera investigation challenges Israeli account of Heidi Levine attack
   8. AP News — Israeli police arrest 10 following weekend attacks by settlers on journalist and diplomats
   9. The Washington Post — Israeli police arrest 10 in connection with West Bank assaults
   10. CBS News — U.S. lauds Israel for arresting 10 over West Bank settler violence as more attacks on Palestinians reported
   11. The New Yorker — Behind the Settler Attack on Palestinians and a Washington Post Journalist
   12. The Guardian — Israeli police detain 10 people in rare raid against West Bank settlers
   confidence 95%