Italian activists repatriated after West Bank detention

Five Italian activists have been released and repatriated to Italy following their detention by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. The women were held on Thursday in Kiryat Arba, an Israeli settlement near Hebron, while attempting to support Palestinian farmers during the annual olive harvest.

Officials from the Italian embassy in Tel Aviv met with the activists at the airport, reporting they appeared to be in good physical condition. The activists were part of a group of international volunteers who accompany Palestinian farmers to document incidents of violence and protect access to groves during the harvest season.

Human rights organization Yesh Din reported over 330 incidents of settler violence related to this year’s olive harvest, including physical attacks and property damage. The United Nations has also noted a significant increase in violence in the West Bank this year.