Washington Post journalist attacked in the West Bank, police investigating 

Heidi Levine, a photojournalist working for the Washington Post, was attacked in the West Bank on Friday while covering the annual olive harvest, she said. Levine said she was attacked by Israeli settlers, with videos filmed by witnesses showing her being beaten on the ground by several men. "Today, I was brutally attacked by ... I would say at least 50 masked men," a visibly injured and shaken Levine said from her hospital bed. "And when they came running down, I was attacked, pushed to the ground and luckily, I had my flak jacket and my helmet.

Otherwise I probably wouldn't even be here because they just kept kicking me, and kicking me in, like, probably 50 times." A group of journalists was filming Palestinians harvesting olives in Abu Falah, near Ramallah, in the West Bank, when dozens of masked men charged from a hill and attacked the group, according to witnesses' accounts. Heidi Levine, a photojournalist with the Washington Post, speaks to journalists at the hospital after sustaining multiple injuries during an attack by Israeli militant settlers on Palestinians harvesting olives, in Ramallah, West Bank, October 16, 2026.

Ali Sawafta/Reuters In the videos posted online, settlers can be seen setting fire to the olive trees during the attack and then beating the journalist to the ground. Related Roof collapse at Pakistan school kills 33 In a video filmed by journalist and activist, known as Andrey X, he and an American colleague, Jasper Nathaniel, run toward Levine, who is seen on the ground. They help her stand and run away from settlers charging them. Levine, in the video, can be heard saying they took all her belongings and that she is struggling to stand on her feet.

Heidi Levine, a photojournalist with the Washington Post, speaks to journalists at the hospital after sustaining multiple injuries during an attack by Israeli militant settlers on Palestinians harvesting olives, in Ramallah, West Bank, October 16, 2026. Ali Sawafta/Reuters The Washington Post condemned the violence and called for an investigation. "This morning, a Washington Post photographer, Heidi Levine, was attacked by Israeli settlers while reporting in the West Bank," Matt Murray, executive editor of the Washington Post, said in a statement.

"She was wearing visible markings clearly identifying her as a journalist. While we are relieved that Heidi has received medical care and is safe, we are outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job and urge a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities." The Israeli police said they had opened an investigation into the incident. "Upon receiving the report, officers from the Judea and Samaria District and forensic investigators were dispatched," the police spokesperson's unit said.

"They are currently preparing to enter the scenes, accompanied by IDF forces, to collect evidence and gather testimonies for the ongoing investigation." "The Israel Police and the IDF view any act of violence with the utmost severity--particularly when directed at media personnel performing their professional duties," they added. Heidi Levine, a photojournalist with the Washington Post leaves the emergency room of the government hospital in the Israeli-occupied city of Ramallah, following an attack by Israeli settlers as she photographed Palestinian farmers harvesting their olives, in the Palestinian village of Abu Falah, October 16, 2026.

Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images IDF was on the scene of the alleged incident, video cleared by ABC News shows. Related Istanbul's worst floods in 80 years leave 4 dead Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called into question the version of events shared by the journalists but said in a statement Friday, "Israel unequivocally condemns violence against anyone--Jews, Arabs, Christians or journalists." Popular Reads Bend, Oregon, elementary school shooting: 3 children, 1 teacher killed 31 minutes ago Woman accused of stabbing husband and son to death at Great Wolf Lodge: Complaint Oct 14 Hurricane Isaias: At least 4 dead as Isaias downgraded Oct 11 Netanyahu called for a full investigation into the incident.

"The facts surrounding the confrontation near Abu Falah, during which Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was allegedly assaulted, remain unclear and are under investigation," he said in a statement. "Those responsible will be held accountable. But serious questions remain." The U.S. State Department expressed concern but stopped short of laying blame on Israeli settlers or any other party. "We are greatly concerned when any American is harmed overseas and stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance," a department spokesman said Friday.

"We are in regular dialogue with partners about improving stability and security in the West Bank," he continued. "We condemn criminal violence by any party in the West Bank and support appropriate investigations as well as legal accountability for those responsible." The spokesman also said the State Department had reached out to the Washington Post directly to offer consular assistance. The violence comes amid growing violence and instability in the West Bank, where the police and the Israeli army have often been accused by locals and activists of turning a blind eye or taking part in violence against Palestinians.

In August, an NBC crew was attacked and a Palestinian woman was severely injured while covering the escalating violence. -ABC News' Shannon Kingston contributed to this report.