Armed Israeli Settlers Beat AFP Photographer in the West Bank

Agence France-Presse photojournalist Jaafar Ashtiyeh, working in the occupied West Bank, was attacked by armed Jewish settlers. The 58-year-old journalist, who sustained head and torso injuries in an incident where soldiers did not intervene, was hospitalized for treatment.

Covering the Olive Harvest

Jaafar Ashtiyeh, a 58-year-old experienced photojournalist working for Agence France-Presse, was documenting the rising violence against Palestinian olive farmers in the occupied West Bank.

During the incident near the village of Aqraba, Palestinians were harvesting olives while journalists were working on the scene.

Armed Attack and Beating

Following a gunshot fired by an individual approaching the area on a quad bike that resulted in a Palestinian being shot in the foot and hospitalized, six armed individuals ran toward the journalists.

Ashtiyeh, attempting to get into a vehicle marked with press insignia, was repeatedly beaten with rifle butts by the settlers and his camera equipment was confiscated.

Happened in Full View of Soldiers

It was reported that about a dozen Israeli soldiers were stationed only 500 meters away from the scene during the attack and did not intervene.

Eyewitnesses, family members, and colleagues confirmed that the military units merely watched the attack.

Reactions and Call for Investigation

Kept under observation at a hospital in Nablus, Ashtiyeh was reported to be conscious with bruises on his head and torso.

AFP, the Foreign Press Association, and international media rights organizations condemned the attack and demanded an investigation into why the soldiers failed to intervene.