Levine, who was wearing a helmet and a vest marked "PRESS," was hospitalized in Ramallah in stable condition facing surgery for four broken vertebrae, a broken rib, lacerations, a nearly severed finger and potential stab wounds, journalist Jasper Nathaniel reported from the scene. Speaking from her hospital bed, Levine said masked Israeli settlers beat her with clubs for at least 10 minutes, stole her cameras and phone, and kicked her "probably 50 times" during an assault by about 80 settlers who burned olive trees and injured at least six people.
Herzog's apology broke with an earlier statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, which called the beating an "alleged" and "disputed" confrontation between 200 Arabs and activists and 40 Israeli youths in which Levine was "knocked down and immediately helped to her feet." Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray rejected that account, stating that it was "indisputable" that a clearly marked journalist was beaten, while eyewitnesses including Nathaniel alleged that Israeli troops used tear gas and gunfire to cover the settlers and shot a Palestinian bystander.