IDF, Shin Bet arrest eight suspects connected to attack on US journalist Heidi Levine in West Bank

The suspects were transferred for questioning, and security forces are continuing to investigate the settler extremist-led violence of the weekend.Follow us on GoogleIsraeli security forces and armed settlers evacuate activists from the area of olive tree plantation in Idna village near Hebron, on October 13, 2026.(photo credit: Hazem Bader/AFP via Getty Images)OCTOBER 19, 2026 07:57Updated: OCTOBER 19, 2026 08:36Israel's security services arrested eight suspects early Monday morning in connection with the violent events that occurred over the weekend in the West Bank, which included an attack on Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine.The operation was carried out in cooperation with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), Border Police, and the IDF.In addition to the arrests, several vehicles were confiscated, and illegal construction was cleared out.The suspects were transferred for questioning, and security forces are continuing to investigate the settler extremist-led violence of the weekend.Arrests being carried out in the West Bank during Operation Olive Leaf (Credit: Israel Police Spokesperson's Unit)Demands for investigation, arrests metUS Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Saturday night called for the investigation, arrest, and prosecution "to the fullest extent of the law" of the participants in the attack on photojournalist Heidi Levine.The Israel-based Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was wounded during a Friday altercation between extremist settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank.Levine sustained injuries to her limbs, according to medical information provided. Speaking to Walla, she said she had also suffered injuries to her back and a rib, describing a prolonged assault during which her cameras and personal belongings were stolen.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the incident on Friday, saying that "those responsible will be brought to justice."IDF, police expand crack-down on nationalist violenceThe IDF, Border Police, and Israel Police have, more generally, intensified efforts to combat lawbreakers and rising nationalist violence in the West Bank, with an average of seven to 10 illegal outposts evacuated each week in recent weeks.The IDF's Central Command plans to further increase the number of evacuations in the coming weeks as security forces struggle to prevent repeat offenses.Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.Follow us on Google