Hamdan Ballal, the Oscar-winning Palestinian director, has been released from detention after suffering an assault by a group of Jewish settlers and subsequent imprisonment by Israeli forces.

Ballal, accompanied by two other Palestinians, left a police station in the West Bank settlement of Kiryat Arba on Tuesday, visibly injured with bruises on his face and bloodstains on his clothes.

The incident occurred on the evening of March 25, 2025, in the West Bank village of Susya when settlers reportedly attacked Palestinian residents during the breaking of the Ramadan fast.

While attempting to document the violence, Ballal was assaulted and subsequently detained by soldiers as he sought help, according to witnesses.

Lea Tsemel, Ballal’s lawyer, stated that the three men were held overnight on the floor of a military base, enduring significant discomfort and receiving little medical attention for their injuries.

Ballal recounted his experiences after his detention, describing being blindfolded, shackled, and forced to sleep under cold air conditioning for hours.

He also mentioned that he overheard soldiers laughing in his presence and heard references to his Oscar win, exacerbating his feelings of vulnerability during the incident.

Ballal and the two additional Palestinians detained were initially accused of throwing stones at a young settler—a claim they dispute.

Witness accounts highlighted that around two dozen masked settlers, some armed and dressed in military-style clothing, attacked the village, leading to heightened tension between the settlers and the local Palestinian community.

The Israeli military confirmed the detention of three Palestinians and stated that one Israeli civilian was involved in a violent confrontation but has refrained from providing further commentary.

Lamia Ballal, the director’s wife, described hearing her husband’s cries for help during the assault.

She saw armed individuals attacking him outside their home while feeling unable to intervene for the safety of their children.

Neighbors reported damage to their property and described the extent of the violence during the settlers' assault.

Following his release, Ballal was taken for medical treatment at a hospital in Hebron.

The event coincides with increased scrutiny and violence directed toward Palestinians in the context of ongoing tensions in the region, particularly following the Oscar win for Ballal's film, 'No Other Land.' This documentary, co-directed with Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham and other collaborators, focuses on the displacement of Palestinians in the Masafer Yatta area of the West Bank and has been met with both acclaim and controversy post-release.

The film has garnered international attention since its win for Best Documentary Feature at the 97th Academy Awards, spotlighting the challenges faced by Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.

However, it has also faced challenges, including limited distribution opportunities in the U.S., a situation attributed to the political sensitivities surrounding its themes.

Reports indicate that the surge in violence in the West Bank has been exacerbated during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has contributed to numerous civilian casualties and displacements since October 2023. Israeli military actions in the West Bank have intensified, with allegations of settler violence remaining a significant concern among Palestinian communities, further complicating the humanitarian situation.