CNN Journalists Attacked by Israeli Settlers in West Bank While Covering Anniversary of Palestinian-American's Death

Four Israeli settlers were arrested following an assault on CNN and other journalists in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, according to police. The attack occurred near the village of Sinjil as media teams covered the one-year anniversary of Saif Musallet's death—a Palestinian-American beaten to death by settlers in July 2025. The assailants wielded wooden and metal rods, stones, and a knife, damaging multiple vehicles before authorities arrived at the scene.

The Attack Unfolds

The CNN crew and accompanying journalists arrived in the area minutes before Israeli settlers descended on their location. As the media contingent attempted to leave, four settlers blocked the road with their vehicle, preventing the journalists from departing. The assailants began striking the journalists' vehicles with implements seized from their possession—clubs and a knife—while another group of settlers smashed the windshield of a second vehicle carrying additional media personnel. One settler attempted to puncture the tires of the CNN vehicle. A separate group of settlers tried to obstruct an alternate exit route and pursued the journalists toward the town of Sinjil before Israeli soldiers and police officers arrived to intervene.

Law Enforcement Response and Ongoing Cases

Police officers and IDF soldiers secured the scene and arrested four suspects. Officers located the settlers' vehicle and confiscated the weapons used in the assault. In an official statement, the Israel Police and Israel Defense Forces declared they "view any manifestation of violence or causing damage to property very seriously, especially when it concerns media personnel performing their work." An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

The incident coincides with a broader pattern of tensions in the region. Earlier this week, U.S. Representative Ro Khanna reported being detained by armed settlers near the village of Turmus Ayya, which has a significant Palestinian-American population. Khanna stated he witnessed settlers equipped with American-made rifles and characterized the detention as revealing the human toll of Israeli occupation. The IDF confirmed soldiers and police intervened to disperse the settlers and release Khanna's vehicle group.

Regarding Saif Musallet's killing one year prior, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described it as a "criminal and terrorist act" at the time. However, Musallet's family told CNN that no arrests have been made in connection with his death despite the ambassador's statements calling for investigation.