A French Press photographer, Jaffar Shtayeh, 58, was beaten and shot at by Israeli settlers in the West Bank on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, while covering attacks on Palestinian olive harvesters. Shtayeh and his colleague, John Wesizel, were near the town of Aqraba in northern West Bank when they witnessed a clash between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian villagers.
According to eyewitnesses, Shtayeh and Wesizel were documenting the events when a group of Israeli settlers on a quad bike approached them, and one of them fired live ammunition in their direction. A Palestinian man was injured in the foot and taken to the hospital. The settlers then attacked Shtayeh and Wesizel, with Shtayeh being beaten with weapons by at least six individuals.
Shtayeh was taken to a hospital in Nablus with head and torso injuries, while his equipment was confiscated by the attackers. Wesizel reported that he heard Shtayeh's cries as he was being beaten. The incident was widely condemned, with the French Press news agency and the Foreign Press Association calling for a thorough investigation.
The attack on Shtayeh and Wesizel was not the first instance of violence against journalists in the West Bank. According to the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, there has been a rise in attacks on journalists by Israeli forces and settlers. The syndicate called for international condemnation of the incident and protection for journalists.
The incident occurred amidst a backdrop of increased violence in the West Bank, with settlers carrying out daily attacks on Palestinians, including physical assaults, land confiscation, and crop destruction. The violence has escalated in recent months, with both Israeli and Palestinian casualties reported.
The French Press news agency and human rights organizations have expressed concern over the increasing violence against journalists and civilians in the West Bank. The incident has highlighted the risks faced by journalists in conflict zones and the need for greater protection and accountability.
The Palestinian Authority and international community have called for an investigation into the incident and for those responsible to be held accountable. The incident has also sparked concerns about the safety of journalists and civilians in the West Bank and the need for greater protection and security measures.
Key points
- Israeli settlers attacked and beat a French Press photographer, Jaffar Shtayeh, and his colleague in the West Bank while covering olive harvest attacks.
- The incident was widely condemned, with calls for a thorough investigation and protection for journalists.
- The attack is part of a larger pattern of violence against journalists and civilians in the West Bank.
