IDF, Shin Bet arrest eight suspects connected to attack on US journalist Heidi Levine in West Bank

Security agencies in Israel apprehended eight individuals early Monday in relation to the recent events in the West Bank, which involved an assault on Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine. The operation was conducted jointly by the Shin Bet, Border Police, and the IDF. Apart from the arrests, several vehicles were seized and illegal constructions were dismantled.

The suspects were handed over for questioning as security forces persist in probing the settler extremist-led violence that took place over the weekend. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee expressed his concern on Saturday night, calling for the fullest investigation, arrest, and prosecution of the participants in the attack on Heidi Levine.

The Israeli-based photojournalist suffered injuries to her limbs, back, and a rib, as well as the theft of her cameras and personal belongings during the altercation with extremist settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that the culprits would be held accountable. The IDF, Border Police, and Israel Police have been stepping up their efforts to tackle lawbreakers and increasing instances of nationalist violence in the West Bank, leading to an average of seven to ten illegal outposts being evicted weekly in recent weeks.

The IDF s Central Command intends to escalate the number of evictions in the forthcoming weeks as security forces endeavor to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.