Israeli Settlers Beat 58-Year-Old AFP Photographer, Steal Gear in West Bank Attack
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 6
Israeli Settlers Beat 58-Year-Old AFP Photographer, Steal Gear in West Bank Attack
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 6
Summary
Jaafar Ashtiyeh, 58, was hospitalized in Nablus after Israeli settlers beat him with rifle butts and stole his camera equipment while he covered violence against Palestinian olive farmers in Aqraba.
AFP said a quad-bike rider charged two of its journalists and opened fire, with at least six others also shooting; a Palestinian man was hit in the foot, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
John Wessels said the attack happened within 500 meters of Israeli soldiers, and AFP's global news director demanded a full investigation, saying security forces did not intervene.
The Foreign Press Association called the assault an attempt to intimidate the press as settler violence has surged; the U.N. logged more than 1,600 settler attacks causing injury or damage in the first eight months of 2026.