Masked settlers attack Palestinian woman, NBC crew in occupied West Bank

Assault during field reporting

Masked assailants attacked and injured a Palestinian woman and three members of an NBC News crew in the occupied West Bank town of Jalud on Saturday, the US broadcaster reported, as the journalists conducted an interview about forced displacement. The journalists were speaking with Aida Ahmed Abdullah, 51, and her family when the attack occurred. Abdullah had told the team that Israeli settlers had forced her family from their home.

As Abdullah and the journalists walked down a hill toward the house, a vehicle with Israeli license plates reversed toward them, according to video footage of the incident. At least four masked men then exited the vehicle and attacked Abdullah and the journalists with sticks and rocks. "They jumped out, beat us, then jumped back in the car," Bradley said.

Casualties and medical response

International correspondent Matt Bradley said he was struck twice in the arm and later treated at a nearby clinic. A cameraman and producer working with Bradley were also injured and received treatment following the assault. The Palestinian Red Crescent transported Abdullah for medical care, and her injuries were not life-threatening, according to a joint statement from the Israeli army and Israel Border Police cited by NBC News. Her husband, Mahmoud Toubasi, said her condition had improved, but she remained hospitalized Saturday night.

Official reaction and regional context

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the violence, describing those responsible as "a handful of rioters," according to NBC News. The occupied West Bank has seen an escalation in Israeli army raids and attacks by settlers against Palestinians since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.