Israel releases suspects in West Bank settler attacks

An Israeli court in Jerusalem has ordered the release of nine out of ten Israeli settler suspects arrested for attacks in the occupied West Bank. The suspects, who were involved in assaults on a US journalist and several European diplomats, have been placed under house arrest. One suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.

The incidents included an assault on Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine, who required surgery following an attack during an olive harvest. In a separate incident, masked settlers assaulted diplomats from France, Belgium, and Poland, as well as a French mayor.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory as ‘out of control,’ noting that journalists and diplomats are increasingly being targeted. The releases follow calls for crackdowns on settler violence from the United States, France, Belgium, and Poland.