If life were a film, then some scenes would be too raw to watch, leaving us questioning how much truth we’re willing to confront. Take, for instance, the chilling fate of Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land. Just 22 days after basking in the glory of the Academy Award for Best Documentary, he finds himself brutally attacked by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
The brutal ambush escalated with the Israeli military stepping in—not to protect him—but to detain him. And so, Ballal, once celebrated for his unflinching portrayal of Palestinian life, is now missing, leaving a story untold, a voice silenced, and questions unanswered.
The attack on Hamdan Ballal that shocked the world
Hamdan Ballal, co-director of No Other Land, a film that won hearts globally with its raw and unfiltered look at life under Israeli occupation, had barely begun to soak in his well-deserved accolades when disaster struck. The Academy Award win was a proud moment for many, a beacon of artistic courage shining in the face of adversity. But as the world celebrated, tragedy loomed closer.
On a fateful Monday evening, after a long day’s fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Ballal was ambushed by over a dozen masked Israeli settlers armed with batons, knives, and even an assault rifle (via USA Today).
The attack was brutal, leaving Ballal injured with head and stomach wounds. The aggressors’ goal? Not just physical harm but a silencing of the message his film had broadcast to the world: a story of struggle, resistance, and survival in the Palestinian territories.
As Ballal sought medical help, Israeli soldiers arrived on the scene, only to arrest him while he was being transported in an ambulance. The chilling reality hit: Ballal was now caught in a conflict that no camera could capture—detained, abused, and left with no clear fate.
Note that his whereabouts remain unknown, as of now!
Basel Adra: The revenge behind the attack?
Basel Adra, a fellow director of No Other Land and Hamdan Ballal’s close collaborator, has made it clear (via The Associated Press):
We came back from the Oscars and every day since there is an attack on us. This might be their revenge for making the movie. It feels like a punishment.
Adra’s words echo a painful truth—the world of art and cinema does not always shield its creators from the harsh realities they seek to portray. The Oscar, for some, was not a badge of honor but a bullseye on their backs.
The timing of the attack—soon after the film’s global recognition—suggests a targeted retaliation for the film’s unflinching look at the violence in the occupied West Bank, particularly the devastation in Masafer Yatta, the heart of the film’s story.
In fact, as Adra stated in an interview, the settlers seemed to be responding to something much larger than a simple attack (via The Guardian):
Maybe it’s a revenge for the movie and the Oscar.
As the world waits for answers, one voice that remains eerily silent is that of Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress who has often used her platform to voice her support for Israel. Her unshaken solidarity with her homeland has made headlines in the past, especially in the wake of the October 7 Hamas-led attacks.
The Aftermath: A family left in limbo
The tragedy of Hamdan Ballal’s disappearance has left his loved ones, especially his young son, in a state of uncertainty and anguish. Basel Adra, who is now standing by Ballal’s son, has shared the gut-wrenching reality of the situation on social media.
I'm standing with Karam, Hamdan's 7 year old son, near the blood of Hamdan's in his house, after settlers lynched him. Hamdan, co-director of our film No Other Land, is still missing after soldiers abducted him, injured and bleeding. This is how they erase Masafer Yatta. pic.twitter.com/72pT3UF3kj
— Basel Adra (@basel_adra) March 24, 2025
This heart-wrenching statement encapsulates the rawness of the situation: the bloodshed, the brutality, and the emotional toll it has taken on the families of those who dare to tell their truth. The sense of helplessness in the face of such violence is palpable, and the world is left to ask—when will this madness stop?
Ballal’s film No Other Land is not just a story of a community under siege; it is a reflection of the ongoing struggle of Palestinians to hold onto their land, their homes, and their dignity in the face of overwhelming force. The fact that this story, which won an Oscar, has led to a personal tragedy for the filmmakers is not lost on us. It is a stark reminder that art can be a weapon in the fight for justice, but it can also make its creators targets.
As the days drag on with no sign of Ballal, one can only hope that the international community will not let this story slip into the background. The struggle of the Palestinian people cannot be erased, not by violence, not by silence, and certainly not by the indifference of those who choose not to see.
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