Five Italian activists detained by Israel in the West Bank have been released and repatriated, Italy says

Summary

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called on Friday for the immediate release of five Italian activists, all women, held by Israeli forces in the West Bank, saying their detention was unacceptable because they were not committing any crime. Italian foreign ministry sources said the women were detained on Thursday, October 22, by Israeli police in the Kiryat Arba settlement near Hebron, along with other international activists who were seeking to protect Palestinian farmers from settler attacks during the olive harvest. Tajani told reporters at an international summit in Istanbul that he hoped they would be released within hours. On Saturday morning, Italy's foreign ministry said the five activists had been released and repatriated.

Timeline

1. Straits Times

   23 Oct 2026, 15:37 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Italy called for the immediate release of five Italian activists, all women, held by Israeli forces in the West Bank, according to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who spoke on Friday.

2. Middle East Eye

   23 Oct 2026, 16:04 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Italy demanded the release of five activists detained by Israel during a West Bank olive harvest, saying they were held on Thursday by Israeli police in Kiryat Arba near Hebron while trying to protect Palestinian farmers from settler attacks.

3. Straits Times

   24 Oct 2026, 11:46 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that the five Italian activists detained by Israeli forces in the West Bank this week were released and repatriated on Saturday morning, according to Italy's foreign ministry.

4. The Hindu

   24 Oct 2026, 12:50 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that the five women were detained on Thursday, October 22, by Israeli police in Kiryat Arba along with other international activists while seeking to protect Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest.