WATCH: Masked settlers allegedly attack European diplomats, Palestinians in West Bank

Approximately seven masked settlers allegedly attacked Palestinian olive harvesters near the village of Taybeh in the West Bank, in an incident involving European diplomats on Saturday, according to an Army Radio report.French diplomats, including the French consul in Jerusalem, as well as Belgian and Polish diplomats, were present at the scene, according to the report.According to Army Radio, the settlers smashed a window of a Belgian consulate vehicle.Police said an investigation had been opened and that details of the incident had been forwarded to the Foreign Ministry.A woman who witnessed the events wrote: "Another Israeli activist and I arrived at the scene. The settlers blocked us, surrounded the vehicle and demanded to see our identity cards. We updated the army in real time, but they neither arrived nor responded."The incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the Palestinian olive harvest in the West Bank. The IDF completed preparations for the harvest earlier in October amid concerns over nationalist violence and clashes between Palestinians and settlers.The Belgian Foreign Affairs minister, Maxime Prevot, condemned the attack and added that the Belgian government will continue to push for sanctions against "those responsible for this violence and those who support them.""As the occupying power, Israeli authorities must protect Palestinians, ensure the safety of diplomats and journalists, and bring those responsible to justice. Impunity for violent settlers must end," he said, adding that the attacks "cannot be separated from Israel's illegal settlement policy." I condemn in the strongest terms the attack by masked settlers in Taybeh, in the occupied West Bank, against Palestinians, our Consul General, French and Polish diplomats as well as catholic representatives. A French mayor was assaulted and a Belgian vehicle damaged. Our team is safe. Palestinians face this violence every day. Settlers also target journalists reporting on it and diplomats. Harvesting olives, reporting the news or carrying out diplomatic duties should never put anyone at risk of attack. As the occupying power, Israeli authorities must protect Palestinians, ensure the safety of diplomats and journalists, and bring those responsible to justice. Impunity for violent settlers must end. Belgium will continue to press for EU sanctions against those responsible for this violence and those who support them. This violence cannot be separated from Israel's illegal settlement policy. Belgium condemns settlement expansion and attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land. The occupation of the Palestinian territory must end. @BelgiumMFA @BelgiumJRS— Maxime PREVOT (@prevotmaxime) October 17, 2026Police launch investigation into attack, IDF condemns settler violenceIn a subsequent statement concerning the reported attack on diplomats in the West Bank, Israel Police said, "The Binyamin Police Station in the Judea and Samaria District has opened an investigation into an assault following footage circulated online showing an attack on several diplomats who were in the area of the village of Taybeh."Upon receiving the footage, police opened an investigation and forwarded a report to the Foreign Ministry in order to locate the victims, collect testimonies, and identify the suspects so that they can be brought to justice."Israel Police condemns violence of any kind and will pursue these investigations until all those involved in such incidents are brought to justice."The IDF also issued a statement on Saturday condemning the attacks, in which it confirmed that diplomatic representatives were attacked by Israeli rioters."Police forces and forensic investigators from the Judea and Samaria District are entering the area accompanied by IDF soldiers and will begin collecting findings and evidence, as well as taking testimonies, in support of an investigation that has been opened," the military said.It added that the visit was not coordinated with the IDF and that "according to a preliminary inquiry, no IDF soldiers were present at the scene at the time of the attack. The report was sent to the brigade operations room, which is designated to receive reports from security personnel only, and not from civilians."IDF expected to reinforce West Bank following photographer incidentAmid the increase in violence, the IDF is expected to reinforce its West Bank division with additional combat troops, according to a separate report published on Saturday.The incident also followed the wounding of Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine during an olive harvest on Friday.Beilinson Hospital said Levine was in moderate condition, suffering from injuries to her limbs, and had undergone surgery in the preceding hours.