A group of Palestinian youths helped journalists reach injured Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine after masked Israeli settlers attacked her near Abu Falah in the occupied West Bank while she reported on olive harvesting Friday, Oct. 16.
In an Oct. 21 interview with The Guardian, Levine said the youths moved between her and the attackers, calling their help a “protective shield.” She said she intends to return to reporting in the West Bank after recovering.
American journalist Jasper Nathaniel, who was at the scene, wrote that youths threw stones as he approached Levine. Other reporters accompanied her toward the village, where Palestinian first responders took her to an ambulance.
The Washington Post reported that Levine had four fractured vertebrae, a broken rib and a finger injury requiring surgery. The Guardian later reported two broken ribs and four puncture wounds, whose cause it said was unclear. EconoTimes previously covered Levine’s hospitalization after the olive-harvest attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the incident remained under investigation and cited footage it said appeared to show the person who knocked Levine down helping her up. Levine told The Guardian that her assailants lifted her while taking her belongings, then knocked her down again and kept beating her.
Israel Police said 10 suspects were arrested Monday, Oct. 19, in Operation Olive Leaf. The operation involved the Israel Security Agency (ISA), Border Police and Israel Defense Forces.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the 2026 harvest was scheduled to begin Oct. 15 and estimates it supports 80,000 to 100,000 Palestinian families. OCHA recorded 199 settler attacks tied to olive harvesting from Sept. 1 to Oct. 12 that involved casualties, property damage or both. The agency counted 124 injuries and damage to more than 2,500 trees and saplings.
The Guardian reported that four suspects connected to Levine’s assault were placed under house arrest on Oct. 21. Walla reported a planned police appeal against one release and said another suspect’s detention was extended until Oct. 26.
