As new attacks on Palestinians are reported, U.S. lauds Israel for arresting 10 over West Bank settler violence

Ten arrests announced

Israeli police announced Monday that 10 people had been arrested on suspicion of taking part in recent violent attacks in the West Bank. Police called the operation Operation Olive Leaf.

The announcement followed reports of attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians harvesting olives. Violence against Palestinians was reported again on Monday.

Attacks on harvesters and diplomats

On Friday, masked Israeli men attacked Palestinians harvesting olives, injuring several people and Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine, according to videos, eyewitnesses and Palestinian authorities. Over the weekend, Huckabee described the attack on Levine as an “act of terror carried out by masked cowards.” On Saturday, European officials and the Israeli military said masked individuals assaulted a diplomatic convoy near Taybeh. The convoy included representatives from France, Belgium and Poland.

U.S. calls for action

Netanyahu's office said online video appeared to show masked people confronting a diplomatic vehicle, a smashed car window and someone on the ground. It cautioned that the images did not establish the full sequence of events or who was responsible.

Further reports of violence

Settler violence targeting Palestinians has risen in recent years and intensified since the Gaza war. Some members of Netanyahu's cabinet support settlement expansion and even complete annexation of the West Bank by Israel.