❗️Israeli settlers beat AFP photographer as violence against West Bank olive farmers escalates

Armed Israeli settlers beat Agence France-Presse photographer Jaafar Ashtiyeh on Tuesday while he was covering settler attacks against Palestinian olive farmers near the occupied West Bank village of Aqraba, leaving him with bruising to his head and torso and requiring hospital treatment.

AFP reported that Ashtiyeh, 58, was working alongside photographer John Wessels when armed settlers approached them and opened fire, injuring a Palestinian man in the foot.

According to AFP, at least six other armed settlers then moved toward the journalists. Ashtiyeh was attacked as he tried to enter a vehicle marked "Press", while the assailants also took his camera equipment. Wessels said Israeli occupation forces were present around 500 metres away but did not intervene.

AFP global news director Phil Chetwynd condemned the attack and called for a full investigation, while the Foreign Press Association said Israeli authorities must investigate why occupation soldiers at the scene failed to intervene.

The assault comes amid a rise in Israeli settler attacks targeting Palestinians during the olive harvest, including attacks on farmers and attempts to seize Palestinian-owned olive groves.