Oscar-Winning Director Hamdan Ballal Attacked and Detained in the West Bank
It’s shocking and deeply troubling news coming out of the West Bank—Hamdan Ballal, the Oscar-winning Palestinian co-director of No Other Land , has been attacked by Israeli settlers and subsequently detained by the Israeli military. This incident has left many wondering: Where is he now, and why was he targeted?
According to eyewitnesses, including Jewish American activists on the scene, Ballal was at his home in the Masafer Yatta region when a group of about 15 masked and armed settlers descended upon the area. Reports state that they began throwing stones at Palestinian homes, destroying property, and even slashing the tires of Ballal’s vehicle. His house was surrounded, and in the chaos, he was violently beaten. His injuries were severe—witnesses saw blood on the floor, allegedly from wounds to his head.
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The disturbing part? As Ballal sought medical attention, the Israeli military stepped in—not to protect him, but to detain him. Alongside another man, identified only as Nasser, Ballal was taken into custody. His current whereabouts remain uncertain. Activists and colleagues are demanding answers, fearing this could be retaliation for the powerful impact of No Other Land , a documentary that sheds light on the destruction and forced displacement of Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
Fellow co-director Basel Adra expressed concern that this attack may be a direct response to the film’s success. The documentary has garnered global recognition, winning the Oscar for Best Documentary this year, and has drawn international attention to the escalating violence in the region. Just weeks ago, the film’s team stood on the Academy Awards stage, calling for justice for Palestinians. Now, one of their own has been brutally assaulted and taken away, leaving a chilling message about the risks they face simply for telling their story.
The attack on Ballal is not an isolated incident. The West Bank has seen a sharp rise in settler violence, often carried out under the watch of Israeli forces. Video footage from the scene reportedly shows settlers alongside soldiers, standing by as homes were attacked and people were terrorized. This has led many to question the role of Israeli authorities in these violent acts. Witnesses claim the soldiers did nothing to intervene—instead, they targeted Ballal, taking him into custody while the attackers roamed freely.
His co-director Yuval Abraham took to social media, describing what happened as a "lynching." He reported that soldiers even entered the ambulance treating Ballal, removing him and taking him away. Since then, there has been no sign of him.
The international community is now paying close attention, with activists and human rights organizations calling for Ballal’s immediate release. The Israeli military has yet to provide a clear explanation for his detention, further fueling concerns that this is an attempt to silence voices exposing the harsh realities of life under occupation.
The question remains: Where is Hamdan Ballal? And what message does this send to journalists, filmmakers, and activists who dare to document the truth?
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