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Oscar-Winning Filmmaker Hamdan Ballal Arrested by Israeli Forces After Settler Attack
Palestinian co-director of Oscar-winning No Other Land, Hamdan Ballal, was arrested by Israeli forces in the West Bank after being attacked by settlers. His whereabouts remain unknown.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-25
Oscar-Winning Filmmaker Hamdan Ballal Arrested by Israeli Forces After Settler Attack

Hamdan Ballal, a Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was arrested by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank after being assaulted by settlers, his fellow filmmaker Yuval Abraham confirmed on Monday.

According to Al Jazeera, Israeli soldiers detained Ballal in the Masafar Yatta area, an occupied territory where forced displacement of Palestinians has been ongoing. The Israeli military claimed it arrested three Palestinians for allegedly throwing stones at forces, along with one Israeli settler involved in the altercation—a claim disputed by eyewitnesses.

Settler Violence and Ballal’s Arrest

Ballal was reportedly attacked by a group of masked Israeli settlers, who left him injured in the stomach and head. After calling for medical help, he was taken from an ambulance by Israeli soldiers and detained.

“They beat him, and he has injuries in his head and stomach, bleeding. Soldiers invaded the ambulance he called and took him. No sign of him since,” Abraham posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Later, Abraham clarified that Ballal was not killed but remained injured and detained at a police station in a settlement. His lawyer has been denied access to him.

Eyewitness Accounts and Footage

The incident occurred in Susiya, a Palestinian village in the West Bank, and was captured by the anti-occupation NGO Centre for Jewish Nonviolence. Footage shared online shows masked settlers attacking activists, throwing stones, and smashing vehicle windows.

According to Basel Adra, another co-director of No Other Land, the attack followed a pattern of increasing violence against Palestinian activists. “We came back from the Oscars, and every day since, there has been an attack on us,” Adra told the Associated Press.

He described how Israeli settlers—some armed, some in uniform—entered the village shortly after residents broke their fast for Ramazan. “The military fired into the air while settlers continued pelting stones at us,” he added.

Adra also recounted how Ballal’s wife heard him screaming outside: “I’m dying.” He was then seen handcuffed, blindfolded, and taken away by soldiers, leaving bloodstains at his doorstep.

Background on No Other Land

No Other Land, which won Best Documentary at the 2024 Academy Awards, highlights the struggle of Palestinian communities facing forced displacement in Masafer Yatta. The area was declared a military firing zone by Israel in the 1980s, displacing residents under the pretext of security operations.

The film’s directors, including Ballal, have faced threats since their Oscar win, with Adra suggesting that the recent attacks might be retaliation for exposing Israeli actions to a global audience.

Uncertain Fate and International Condemnation

Ballal’s detention has drawn widespread concern, with human rights groups demanding his immediate release. His lawyer, Lea Tsemel, stated that authorities claim he is receiving “medical treatment” at a military base, but she has been unable to reach him.

The arrest and assault of Ballal highlight the ongoing settler violence and military occupation in the West Bank, where nearly half a million Israeli settlers reside in settlements deemed illegal under international law.

As global attention grows, the fate of Hamdan Ballal remains uncertain, fueling calls for accountability and justice.

 
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