Susanna Riva An Israeli court in Jerusalem has ordered the release, under house arrest, of nine of the ten suspects arrested in connection with two violent incidents in the occupied West Bank . The measures, issued on the evening of October 22, 2026, follow investigations into attacks on an American photographer and members of European diplomatic delegations during the olive harvest season.
Authorities have announced that only one suspect remains in custody while investigations continue; evidence, vehicles, and materials potentially useful to the investigation have been seized in recent days. The release, subject to a signed signature and mandatory home confinement, has sparked mixed reactions among rights groups and international representatives.
Violence during harvest: the case of the injured photographer
The first incident that sparked international attention involved the attack on an American photographer while documenting the olive harvest in a village near Ramallah. The journalist was struck, fell to the ground, and suffered serious injuries that required hospital treatment, including surgery on her hand.
Wound details and press protection
The victim was wearing devices identifying her as a media worker at the time of the attack, reigniting the debate over the safety of journalists in conflict zones. Testimonies reported that a group of hooded individuals attacked and stole photographic equipment, causing the journalist to suffer fractures and lacerations.
Attack on diplomats and international reactions
A second incident, which occurred elsewhere in the region, involved European officials and a French mayor: they too were reportedly attacked by masked individuals while following olive harvest activities. Several cars were damaged and stones were thrown at a delegation, according to local officials.
These incidents have prompted the United States and several European countries to urge decisive action by the Israeli authorities. Calls for investigations and criminal accountability have been compounded by widespread accusations of impunity in attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinian civilians.
Data on violence during the olive season
Organizations monitoring incidents in the occupied territory have recorded a significant increase in harvest- related attacks . A local body documented over 400 incidents in October, attributing most of the attacks to settler groups and some to Israeli forces. The types of violence reported include physical assaults , blocking of land, theft of crops, and damage to olive trees.
Among the most serious cases reported was the death of a picker who was hit by bullets during harvesting. The victim, identified as Ali Hassan Bazzari, died from his injuries on October 7. Reports also allege arson attacks on olive trees, threats with firearms, and arrests on the spot.
Geographical distribution of episodes
Reports indicate particularly high concentrations of violent incidents in areas such as Nablus and Salfit, with hundreds reported in these districts alone. The blocking of access roads and the closure of crossings near villages have limited the ability of many farmers to reach their fields during the harvest.
Legal proceedings and criticism of the investigations
Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups have criticized the frequent lack of effective prosecutions of attackers: historical data indicates that the vast majority of investigations into ideologically motivated crimes remain unindicted. The temporary arrest of ten people, followed by the court-ordered release of nine, has been interpreted by some as a response to international pressure rather than a structural judicial shift.
Meanwhile, at the international level, the United Nations Secretary General described the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory as out of control, denouncing the daily attacks on civilians and calling for the search for a credible political path towards a lasting peace.
Investigations into the two main attacks are ongoing, and authorities have stated they will continue examining evidence and testimonies. Meanwhile, the olive harvest season remains a time of intense tension for local farming communities, exposed to violence, disruption, and significant economic losses.