Oscar-Winning Director Hamdan Ballal Released After West Bank Attack

Hamdan Ballal, an Oscar-winning Palestinian director, was reportedly attacked by Israeli settlers and subsequently detained by Israeli military forces in the West Bank. Witnesses stated that Ballal was beaten in front of his home by men in military fatigues while another filmed the incident. Following his detention, Ballal and two co-directors of the documentary 'No Other Land' were held overnight at a military base, suffering injuries from the assault. Their attorney, Lea Tsemel, confirmed they were accused of throwing stones, which they denied. After public outcry and media coverage, Ballal was released and taken to a hospital for treatment. This incident has raised concerns regarding the safety of Palestinian filmmakers and the ongoing tensions in the region, particularly following their recent Academy Award win.