Kan NewsSecurity07:27

Israeli Police Arrest 10 in West Bank Violence Crackdown

By חיים גולדיטש

Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba

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Hebrew · 12 newsrooms covering

Israeli security forces arrested ten people in the West Bank on Monday as part of an operation following recent violent incidents, including attacks on foreign diplomats and a photographer. The arrests occurred in the Benjamin region, with authorities also confiscating vehicles and addressing illegal construction. The detention of two suspects in the diplomat attack and four in the photographer attack was extended by three days by a judge. The operation follows increased security focus on outposts identified as sources of violence against Palestinians.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Israeli security forces arrested ten people in the West Bank on Monday as part of an operation.
The arrests followed recent attacks on foreign diplomats and a photographer in the Benjamin region.
Detentions of suspects in both attacks were extended by three days by a judge.
Vehicles were confiscated, and illegal construction was addressed during the operation.
The IDF condemned the attack on diplomats and noted lack of coordination.
U.S. and Belgian foreign ministers condemned the violence.

Israeli Police Arrest 10 in West Bank Violence Crackdown — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Israeli security forces launched "Olive Branch" operation on Monday, arresting ten individuals suspected of involvement in recent violence, including attacks on foreign diplomats and a photographer. The operation, conducted in the Benjamin region of the West Bank, also saw the confiscation of vehicles used by the suspects. Authorities are also clearing illegal construction and addressing violations of military orders and Palestinian property invasions.

The arrests follow a violent weekend where seven armed Jewish individuals attacked Palestinian olive harvesters near the village of Taybeh, close to Ramallah. French, Belgian, and Polish diplomats, including the French Consul to Jerusalem, were present and also attacked. The attackers reportedly smashed a window of the Belgian Consulate's vehicle.

Two suspects in the diplomat attack, Nadav Cohen Tzemach and Eitan Rubinstein, had their detention extended by three days by Judge Hagit Plaut. The judge cited reasonable suspicion of involvement in crimes including conspiracy, disguise to commit a crime, and racially motivated offenses, noting the danger posed by the suspects and potential for disrupting the investigation.

Similarly, the detention of four suspects in the attack on photographer Heidi Levine was extended by three days. These individuals, Natanel Yiluz, Ori Feig, Jonathan Shahar, and Eitam Zuarz, face charges including aggravated assault with a racial motive. The judge noted that three of these suspects have relevant criminal records, while one does not, and emphasized the early stage of the investigation.

Security officials decided to increase enforcement in outposts from which most violence against Palestinians originates. The IDF stated it condemns the attack on diplomats, noting that the consulate's patrol was not coordinated with the army, which is crucial for preventing such incidents. The IDF also clarified that initial reports indicated no forces were present at the time of the attack and that civilian reports are directed to different hotlines than those for security personnel.

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