Oscar-Winning Director's Arrest in West Bank Standoff Sparks Controversy

Oscar-winning director Hamdan Ballal was arrested during a tense standoff involving settlers and Palestinian farmers in the West Bank. The incident occurred at an Iftar gathering in Susiya village when settlers attacked, leading to Ballal and two others being detained amid claims of tensions and injuries.

On Monday night, tensions flared in the occupied West Bank as the Oscar-winning director Hamdan Ballal was arrested during a standoff between settlers and Palestinian farmers. The incident unfolded during an Iftar event in Susiya village, near Hebron, when a group of settlers allegedly attempted to steal sheep and later attacked the gathering.

According to Jihad Nawajaa, the head of the Susiya local council, 'Dozens of settlers attacked the gathering at Iftar.' In the ensuing chaos, efforts were made to fend off the attackers, resulting in at least eight injuries among those present. Ballal, who co-directed the acclaimed documentary "No Other Land," which highlights the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was among those arrested by Israeli police, though the extent of his injuries remains unknown.

The incident drew a quick response from the Israeli military, who claimed intervention was necessary after Palestinians threw rocks at vehicles of Israeli citizens. They reported arresting three individuals suspected of rock-throwing and denied any detainees were taken from ambulances. "No Other Land," directed by both Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, recently garnered attention by winning an Oscar at the Academy Awards.

(With inputs from agencies.)