Daijiworld Media Network – Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jul 29: In a tragic escalation of violence in the occupied West Bank, Odeh Muhammad Hadalin, a well-known Palestinian activist and educator, was shot dead by an Israeli settler in the village of Umm al-Khair in Masafer Yatta, near Hebron. The incident has sent shockwaves globally, especially among human rights advocates and the international film community.
Hadalin, widely respected for his non-violent resistance and community work, gained international recognition for his involvement in the making of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, which portrayed the struggles of Palestinian villagers under increasing settler and military aggression in Masafer Yatta.
According to the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Education, Hadalin was shot dead on Monday while standing outside the community centre in his village during a settler attack. The ministry mourned the loss of a man it described as a “dedicated teacher and brave voice for justice.”
The co-directors of No Other Land, Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham and Palestinian journalist Basel Adra, took to social media to confirm Hadalin’s death. A heart-wrenching message by Adra stated: “My dear friend Awdah was slaughtered this evening. He was standing in front of the community centre in his village when a settler fired a bullet that pierced his chest and took his life. This is how Israel erases us – one life at a time.”
Yuval Abraham, who also shared a video allegedly capturing the incident, identified the suspected shooter as Yinon Levi, a settler who has previously been sanctioned by the EU and the US. The footage reportedly shows the assailant “firing like crazy” at unarmed residents, Abraham claimed.
The killing has sparked widespread condemnation from international human rights organisations and civil society groups, who accuse Israeli authorities of failing to prevent or prosecute escalating settler violence in the West Bank.
Local sources said tensions in Masafer Yatta have been at a breaking point amid rising threats of displacement, home demolitions, and attacks by settlers emboldened by political backing. No official response from Israeli security forces had been issued at the time of this report.
As tributes pour in for Hadalin, many fear his death marks another dark chapter in the ongoing struggle of Palestinian communities facing systematic oppression. The incident has reignited calls for urgent international intervention and accountability.