Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was arrested on Monday after a confrontation between Palestinian villagers and Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. The incident happened in Susiya village, near Hebron, during an Iftar gathering.
Clash Between Settlers and Palestinian Villagers
Jihad Nawajaa, head of the Susiya local council, said Israeli settlers attacked the Iftar gathering, leading to a standoff. “Dozens of settlers attacked the gathering at Iftar, according to Jihad Nawajaa. The young men came out to prevent them, and there were about eight injuries on our side.
During the altercation, settlers reportedly tried to steal sheep from Palestinian farmers, escalating tensions. Israeli police and soldiers intervened, arresting three Palestinian men, including Hamdan Ballal. Jihad Nawajaa said Hamdan Ballal was injured, but the severity remains unclear.
Israeli Authorities’ Response and Arrests
The Israeli military claimed police and soldiers acted after Palestinians threw rocks at Israeli settler vehicles. “Three Palestinians suspected of throwing rocks were arrested,” the military said, without addressing settler aggression allegations.
The military denied reports that at least one of the arrested Palestinians was taken from an ambulance, refuting claims circulating locally.
Hamdan Ballal’s arrest has gained international attention due to his role in No Other Land, a documentary on the Israeli displacement of Palestinian communities. The film, co-directed by Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, recently won an Academy Award, amplifying its message globally.
Growing Tensions in the West Bank
Violence has surged in the West Bank, with frequent clashes between settlers and Palestinian residents. Rights groups have accused Israeli settlers of attacking Palestinian communities, often without intervention from authorities.
Hamdan Ballal’s arrest raises concerns over the treatment of Palestinian activists and artists. As international organizations and human rights groups monitor the situation, calls for his release and greater accountability continue.
With tensions already high, the Susiya village incident highlights the volatile reality in the occupied territories and the struggles faced by Palestinian communities resisting displacement.
