14 hours ago
11
March 26, 2025 | 01:08 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hamdan Ballal, a Palestinian director involved in the production of No Other Land, an Oscar-winning documentary film, has finally been freed after a night of detention. Earlier, he was subjected to beating and detained at an Israeli military base following clashes with Israeli settlers in the West Bank on Monday night, March 24, 2025.
The incident took place in the village of Susiya, in the Masafer Yatta region, where Ballal resides. Yuval Abraham, an Israeli director who worked with him on the film, wrote, "After being handcuffed all night and beaten at the military base, Hamdan Ballal is now free and will soon return to his family." He was also the first to report the incident through account X last Monday. "A group of settlers beat Hamdan Ballal. He suffered injuries to his head and abdomen, and was bleeding," he wrote.
Chronology of the Clashes in Susiya
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, according to the Center for Jewish Nonviolence, the clashes began when local residents asked an Israeli settler to leave the village. Shortly after, dozens of other settlers arrived. Some were wearing masks, while others carried sharp weapons and rifles. They attacked houses, damaged water tanks, and stole surveillance cameras.
However, the Israeli military (IDF) presented a different version. In their official statement on Monday, they claimed that the conflict occurred after a number of terrorists threw stones at Israeli civilians and damaged their vehicles. Both sides then began hurling stones at each other. The IDF and Israeli police, who arrived at the scene, claimed that they were also targeted with stones by the terrorists.
Detention of Palestinian Residents
As a result of the clashes, three Palestinian residents, including Ballal, were detained. The IDF also stated that an Israeli resident was also arrested but was quickly evacuated for medical treatment. "The detainees were taken for further examination by the Israeli Police," said the IDF in their statement.
According to the Center for Jewish Nonviolence, Ballal sustained injuries before being detained and was taken to a police station. At the same time, five American activists working with the organization were reported to be at the location and also became targets of the settlers' attacks.
Lawyer Lea Tsemel, representing the three detained Palestinian residents, confirmed that her clients were at a police station in the West Bank and would soon be released. "They are accused of throwing stones at a young Israeli settler. They deny the allegations," Tsemel told the Associated Press.
Ballal gained worldwide attention after No Other Land, the film he directed alongside Yuval Abraham and two other filmmakers, won the Best Documentary award at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2. The film documented the forced eviction of Palestinian residents in Masafer Yatta, as well as the unique relationship that developed between a Palestinian activist and an Israeli journalist from 2019 to 2023.
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER | X | ASSOCIATED PRESS
Editor's Choice: Palestinian Oscar-Winning Director Arrested After Being Assaulted by Israeli Settlers
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
UN to Reduce Presence in Gaza After Israeli Strikes That Killed Staff Member
2 jam lalu
Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, announced the reduction of UN presence in Gaza due to increased Israeli attacks and threats to the organization's humanitarian personnel.
Netanyahu Not Yet Arrested by ICC Due to Israel's Powerful Allies, Says Iran Ambassador
5 jam lalu
The Iranian Ambassador suspects the involvement of superpowers in hindering the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu by the ICC.
Leaked Recording Reveals Israeli Envoy to Austria Calls to Execute Gaza Children
7 jam lalu
Israeli Ambassador to Austria David Roet proposed to execute Palestinian children involved in the armed conflict in Gaza.
Iran Highlights Israeli Atrocities Ahead of World Quds Day
11 jam lalu
Iranian Embassy holds a commemoration ahead of World Quds Day. Iran reminds of Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
Palestinian Oscar-Winning Director Arrested After Being Assaulted by Israeli Settlers
14 jam lalu
Israeli settlers in the West Bank assaulted a Palestinian director of the Oscar-winning documentary film No Other Land.
Israeli Army Admits Striking Red Cross Building in Gaza
14 jam lalu
The Israeli army has admitted to shooting a building owned by the Red Cross (ICRC) in the city of Rafah, southern Gaza.
Israeli Strike at Gaza Hospital Kills 5, Israel Says Target Was Hamas Militant
1 hari lalu
Hamas said an Israeli airstrike at a hospital in Gaza had targeted a key figure in the militant group.
At Least 130 Palestinians Slaughtered by Israel in Gaza in 48 Hours
2 hari lalu
At least 130 Palestinian civilians have been killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip over the last 48 hours
Hamas Says Ceasefire, Prisoner Exchange Discussions in Gaza Never Stopped
2 hari lalu
Hamas stated that the communication regarding the ceasefire in Gaza and the prisoner exchange agreement with Israel never ceased
U.S. Tells UN Hamas Is to Blame for Deaths Since Israel Resumed Gaza Hostilities
3 hari lalu
The United States told the U.N. Security Council on Friday that the Palestinian militant group Hamas was to blame for the deaths in the Gaza Strip.
