Injury of "France Presse" photographer in settler attack in the West Bank

Settlers beat photojournalist Jaafar Ashtiya (58) from the "France Presse" agency and fired at him and his colleague John Wessels while they were covering settler attacks in the town of Aqraba in the northern West Bank. Ashtiya suffered bruises to the head and torso and was taken to a hospital in Nablus. The settlers seized photography equipment. The agency condemned the attack and demanded a thorough investigation.

Settlers in the occupied West Bank beat photojournalist Jaafar Ashtiya (58) from the "France Presse" agency and fired at him and his colleague John Wessels while they were covering settler attacks that have escalated with the start of the olive harvest season. The attack occurred near the town of Aqraba in the northern West Bank. Ashtiya suffered bruises to the head and torso and was taken by an ambulance of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to a hospital in Nablus. The settlers seized his photography equipment. The agency's news director Phil Chetwynd condemned the attack and demanded a thorough investigation, noting that Israeli forces were present and did not intervene. Settler violence in the West Bank has escalated in recent months, and Palestinians say settlers are picking olives from their fields with the support of Israeli soldiers.