Israeli settlers beat AFP photographer covering West Bank

Israeli settlers attacked an AFP photographer and another colleague in the West Bank on Tuesday. Jaafar Ashtiyeh, a 58-year-old veteran photographer, suffered bruises and was taken to the hospital with injuries to his head and torso. Another AFP photographer, John Wessels, was also injured with a gunshot wound to his foot. Ashtiyeh and Wessels were reporting on ongoing violence by settlers against West Bank olive farmers when they were targeted.

A quad bike suddenly approached the journalists, and a man from it opened fire, causing one Palestinian to be hospitalized with a gunshot to the foot. At least six other people then attacked the journalists, beating Ashtiyeh with guns. The assailants stole Ashtiyeh's camera equipment. Despite the presence of Israeli soldiers nearby, no intervention took place.

AFP condemned the attack and demanded an investigation. The violence has been escalating in recent months, with settlers targeting both Palestinians and Israelis. Israel captured the West Bank in 1967, and settlements in the occupied territory are illegal under international law. Media rights groups report that Israeli settlers have increasingly targeted journalists, with Israeli authorities detaining 19 journalists in the West Bank since the Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Gaza-based Hamas.