Oscar-winning Director Hamdan Ballal Beaten, Detained in West Bank

Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land', was reportedly attacked by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, resulting in injuries and his subsequent detention by Israeli soldiers. The incident occurred in the village of Susiya, where a group of masked settlers assaulted him and other activists, leading to claims of police bias against Palestinians, as the military accused them of throwing stones. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with settlers attacking and the military intervening to detain Ballal, who was later taken away blindfolded after seeking medical attention. This event has drawn widespread attention to the escalating violence in the region, particularly against those capturing the struggles of Palestinian residents facing displacement. 'No Other Land' documents the plight of the people in Masafer Yatta, highlighting the ongoing tensions and disputes over land in the occupied territories. Critics argue that the attack on Ballal represents a broader pattern of aggression against Palestinian voices in film and activism.