The images coming from the occupied West Bank are shocking: a group of masked Israeli settlers viciously attacked an American photojournalist from the Washington Post, while she was documenting acts of violence against Palestinian farmers. The journalist was found lying on the ground, being repeatedly punched and kicked, while her attackers snatched her camera equipment and personal belongings.
The victim is the award-winning Heidi Levine, who was seriously injured on Friday (October 16), near the Palestinian village of Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah. The attack was captured on video, showing the photojournalist lying on a dirt path with at least three men standing around her.
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According to reports by international media outlets, Levin required hospitalization and surgery, as she suffered serious injuries, including fractures to four vertebrae and a rib, as well as a deep wound to one of her fingers.
Masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villagers on Friday, setting olive groves on fire and slinging rocks. Caught in the attack was Post photographer Heidi Levine. “They just kept kicking me and kicking me, like probably 50 times,” Levine said. https://t.co/9YLUuU9ktP https://t.co/0SrFcIW4as
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 16, 2026
“They knocked me down and kicked me about 50 times”
Speaking from her hospital bed in Ramallah, with visible signs of the attack, the veteran photojournalist described the moments of terror she experienced.
As she reported, she was with other journalists in the area to cover the olive harvest by Palestinian residents when she saw a group of dozens of masked men coming down from a nearby hill.
“Today I was violently attacked. We saw from a distance, at the top of the hill, at least 50 masked men,” she described. The men moved quickly toward the journalists and farmers, with Levin in their sights. “They attacked me
and threw me to the ground. Fortunately, I was wearing my bulletproof vest and helmet; otherwise, I probably wouldn’t even be here, because they kept kicking me over and over again,” she said.
According to her account, the attack lasted about ten minutes, and the assailants did not stop even when they tried to lift her off the ground.
““After ten minutes, they tried to lift me up, but they pushed me back down and continued to kick me,” she described.
Dozens of masked Israeli "settlers" attacked Palestinians harvesting olives near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Friday, setting trees on fire and throwing stones. The attackers also beat Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine, who was wearing a clearly marked press vest, kicking her repeatedly and stealing her equipment. She was hospitalized. Witnesses said Israeli soldiers failed to intervene against the "settlers" and instead fired tear gas at Palestinians. https://t.co/NxjyxhCgvm
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 16, 2026
She estimated that she was kicked about 50 times while desperately trying to protect herself and hold on to her cameras. The attackers managed to take her cameras, her cell phone, and other personal belongings. According to reports, among the items stolen were her passport and wallet. Levin said she was saved thanks to the intervention of her Palestinian colleagues, who managed to get her away from the scene.
“The only thing I remember after that is that Palestinians managed to come, rescue me, and try to carry me away,” she said.
Serious Injuries and Transport to the Hospital
After the attack, rescuers picked up the American photojournalist and provided her with first aid before she was taken to the hospital. Initial reports mentioned abrasions, wounds in various parts of her body, and a fractured rib. However, subsequent medical assessments revealed more serious injuries.
According to the Washington Post and the Associated Press, Levin suffered fractures to four vertebrae and one rib, along with multiple contusions on her body. Particularly serious was the injury to one of her fingers, which sustained a deep laceration that required surgery. Her condition was described as stable.
In the video from the hospital, Levin appears visibly exhausted, with bandages on her left hand and her voice trembling as she describes what happened.
Dozens of masked men attacked farmers and journalists
The attack on Levin took place during wider clashes near the village of Abu Falah, where Palestinian farmers had gathered for the annual olive harvest. According to eyewitness accounts and videos that have been released, dozens of masked Israeli settlers came down from a nearby hill and attacked the crowd. Some were wearing black or gray clothing and wielding bats, while others used slingshots to hurl stones.
The attackers are also reported to have set fire to olive trees and vehicles, causing widespread disruption.
Footage obtained by CBS News shows about 20 masked individuals descending from the area of an Israeli settlement toward the olive groves, while other footage shows two vehicles engulfed in flames and an injured Palestinian.
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, several Palestinians were also injured in the clashes.
Witnesses reported that the attacks were coordinated and that Israeli military forces in the area did not intervene in time to prevent them.
The Israeli army, for its part, announced that its forces were mobilized following reports of a violent confrontation and used crowd-control measures, adding that the circumstances of the incident are under investigation.
Outrage from the Washington Post – “It was clear that he was a journalist”
The attack sparked a strong reaction from the Washington Post, which condemned the beating and called for a full investigation. The newspaper’s executive managing editor, Matt Murray, confirmed that Levin was attacked while on a journalistic assignment in the West Bank. He also pointed out that she was clearly marked as a journalist, as she was wearing a protective vest labeled “PRESS.” “This morning, Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine was attacked by Israeli settlers while covering events in the West Bank,” he said.
In his statement, Murray expressed the newspaper’s relief that the photojournalist received medical care and is now in a safe environment.
The U.S. Response and Calls for an Investigation
The U.S. State Department expressed serious concern over the injury to the American journalist, condemning the violence in the West Bank and emphasizing the need to hold those responsible accountable. A spokesperson stated that U.S. authorities have been informed of the incident and are ready to provide appropriate consular assistance.
Netanyahu’s Response to the Attack
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the incident, stating that Israel unequivocally condemns violence against anyone, regardless of religion or nationality, including journalists.
However, a statement from his office noted that there is conflicting information regarding the circumstances of the attack and that the case is under investigation. This wording prompted a response from the Washington Post, which emphasized that the evidence regarding Levin’s beating is clear and well-documented.
Who Is Heidi Levin?
Heidi Levine is one of the most experienced American photojournalists working in the Middle East, having covered wars, conflicts, and humanitarian crises for decades. She has worked in high-risk areas, documenting through her lens both military operations and their impact on the civilian population.
She has also covered the war in Ukraine, and her work has received international recognition.
In 2015, she was honored with the Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award, which recognizes the courage of female photojournalists working in dangerous conditions. The attack she suffered in the West Bank adds to the dangers journalists face while covering the conflict and incidents of violence in the region.
She survived thanks to her protective gear and the intervention of her Palestinian colleagues, who managed to get her to safety.
Source: Proto Thema
