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US journalist attacked in West Bank, Washington demands justice
Published : Sunday, 18 October, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Observer Online Report
Collected Photo
Trump administration expressed deep concern over Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian residents and American photojournalist Heidi Levine in the occupied West Bank, urging Israel to take stern action to stop the violence.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Israel to take tough measures against the violence while speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Friday. He noted that while he had not been officially briefed, images from the incident were concerning.
Rubio stated that President Donald Trump does not want to see conflict in the occupied West Bank. He added that Washington would convey its expectations to Israel to prevent future incidents, emphasizing that neither side needs such escalation.
Levine, a photojournalist for The Washington Post, was one of two people injured during the attack by Israeli settlers near Abu Falah in the occupied West Bank on Friday. She later told reporters that her body armor and helmet saved her life while attackers kicked her repeatedly.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the attack, demanding the perpetrators face prosecution and imprisonment. In a post on X on Saturday, Huckabee described the assault by masked attackers as an act of cowardice and demanded a full investigation and arrests.
Levine was covering the annual Palestinian olive harvest when Israeli settlers entered the area, beat her and several Palestinians, and stole her passport, mobile phone, wallet, and equipment. Attackers kicked the 64-year-old journalist for nearly 10 minutes while she tried to hold onto her camera and bag.
She was subsequently rushed to a hospital northeast of Ramallah. Her daughter told the Associated Press that Levine underwent surgery for a severely injured finger, a broken rib, and multiple spinal fractures.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Friday that Palestinians or far-left activists might be responsible for the attack. Netanyahu is seeking to solidify support among pro-settler right-wing voters ahead of upcoming elections on October 27.
-SA
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
