Oscar-Winning Palestinian Filmmaker Hamdan Ballal Attacked and Detained Following Settler Assault​

Israeli settlers in Hamdan Ballal, a Palestinian filmmaker and activist co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, stormed Hamdan Ballal’s house hamlet of Susya, in the Masafer Yatta area of the West Bank. Ballal was arrested by Israeli military troops following the attack, attracting international notice and concern.

Incident Details

Eyewitness reports state that at about 6:00 PM local time, a gang of about fifteen armed and disguised Israeli settlers arrived upon Susya. Targeting Palestinian citizens, the assailant threw stones, damaged property, and particularly attacked Ballal’s house. Present to record the incident, Centre for Jewish Nonviolence activists said that residents shattered car windows and attacked people with sticks.

The Ballal hurt his head and stomach during the attack. Israeli troops intervened, capturing and taking him as he was under medical treatment in an ambulance. According to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), during the incident three Palestinians—including Ballal—as well as one Israeli were detained under suspicion of “rock hurling”.

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International Response

The event has generated strong criticism. The International Documentary Association urged openness about Ballal’s condition, the grounds behind his arrest, and his quick release. Deeply worried about Ballal’s safety, co-directors of No Other Land—including Israeli director Yuval Abraham—noted the dearth of knowledge regarding his location after his detention.

Background on Hamdan Ballal

Born in Susya in 1989, Hamdan Ballal is a Palestinian photographer, farmer, and human rights activist. Co-directed No Other Land with Rachel Szor, Basel Adra, and Yuval Abraham. Filmed between 2019 and 2023, the documentary clarifies the experiences of Palestinian people in Masafer Yatta under Israeli authorities’ and settlers’ relocation initiatives.

Originally shown at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival in 2024, the movie received the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2025. Ballal, a human rights activist, has participated in projects like “Humans of Masafer Yatta” and worked for B’Tselem, recording violations of human rights connected to the Israeli takeover of the West Bank.

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Escalating Tensions

The attack on Ballal fits a larger trend of rising West Bank settler violence, especially in the Masafer Yatta region. Such events have become more common since the Israel-Hamas war started in 2023; settlers often attack Palestinian people and properties. Activists speculate that the worldwide acceptance of No Other Land might have encouraged this forceful behaviour even more.

Hamdan Ballal’s incarceration highlights the continuous difficulties Palestinian activists and filmmakers have in getting world attention on the hardships in the occupied areas. The community keeps observing and reacting to these important events as the situation evolves. ​​​​​​