Italy Repatriates Five Activists From West Bank

Five Italian women activists detained Thursday by Israeli police in Kiryat Arba near Hebron while accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest were released and repatriated to Italy on Saturday morning, Oct. 24, 2026. Italian embassy officials visited them at the airport Friday evening and reported they were in good physical condition. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking Friday on the sidelines of an international summit in Istanbul, said what happened was unacceptable and they were not committing any crime. Italy's foreign ministry confirmed the return of the citizens took place that morning. Israel said farming activity in the area had not been authorized by security forces. The women were expected to be transferred to Israel's immigration authority Friday pending expulsion and repatriation procedures. Yesh Din recorded more than 330 incidents of settler violence linked to this year's olive harvest, which started in late September. Olives account for around 8% of Palestinian GDP and more than 60,000 jobs per the Palestinian Authority agriculture ministry. Palestinian militants killed two Israeli soldiers Friday at a checkpoint near Hebron, days before Israeli elections.