- Hamdan Ballal, born in 1989 in Susiya, West Bank, is likely a Palestinian film-maker who co-directed the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land” in 2025.
- Research suggests he is also a farmer, photographer, and human rights activist, volunteering with B’Tselem and involved in the “Humans of Masafer Yatta” project.
- The evidence leans toward him facing recent challenges, including an attack by settlers and detention by the IDF on March 24, 2025, with release the next day.
- His work highlights the struggles of Masafer Yatta, bringing international attention to forced displacements, which is a sensitive and debated topic.
Biography
Early Life and Background
Hamdan Ballal Al-Huraini was born in 1989 in Susiya, a village in the Masafer Yatta region of the West Bank. Growing up in an area designated as a military firing zone by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), he was immersed in the daily struggles of his community, including threats of home demolitions and forced displacements. This environment likely shaped his commitment to documenting and resisting these injustices.
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Career and Activism
Ballal’s career spans multiple roles: he works as a farmer, photographer, and researcher, using these skills to highlight the realities of life under occupation. He volunteers as a field researcher for B’Tselem , an Israeli human rights organization, where he documents abuses against Palestinians. Additionally, he is a member of the “Humans of Masafer Yatta” project , which shares personal stories from the region to raise awareness globally.
Filmmaking and Recognition
In 2024, Ballal co-directed “No Other Land” with Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, a documentary focusing on the destruction of Masafer Yatta by the IDF. The film, which won the Best Documentary Feature at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025, has brought international attention to the forced displacement of Palestinians . This achievement marks him as a significant voice in Palestinian filmmaking, though finding a U.S. distributor was challenging due to the film’s political content.
Recent Events and Personal Life
On March 24, 2025, Ballal was attacked by armed Jewish settlers at his home and detained by the IDF, an incident that underscores the ongoing risks he faces . Released the next day, he reported being beaten and held under harsh conditions, with soldiers allegedly joking about his Oscar win. He is married with one son, and his family life is deeply tied to his activism, hoping for a future free from violence and displacement.
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Comprehensive Analysis of Hamdan Ballal’s Life and Work
This note provides an in-depth exploration of Hamdan Ballal Al-Huraini, an Oscar-winning Palestinian film-maker, detailing his biography, career, and recent events, with a focus on his contributions to documenting human rights abuses and his international recognition. The analysis is informed by various online sources, ensuring a thorough understanding of his impact and the context of his work.
Background and Early Life
Hamdan Ballal was born in 1989 in Susiya, a village within the Masafer Yatta region of the West Bank, an area known for its ongoing conflict due to its designation as a military firing zone by the IDF since the 1970s . This environment, marked by frequent demolitions and displacement threats, likely influenced his early commitment to activism and documentation. His upbringing in a rural, semi-desert region, home to approximately 2,500 Palestinians across 12 villages, exposed him to the challenges of living under occupation, including restricted access to water and land.
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Education and Professional Beginnings
While specific details about his formal education are not widely documented, Ballal’s skills as a photographer and researcher suggest a combination of self-teaching and informal training. His role as a field researcher for B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights organization, is noted in multiple sources, indicating his early involvement in documenting occupation-related abuses . This work likely provided him with the foundation for his later filmmaking, focusing on visual storytelling to highlight Palestinian struggles.
Activism and Human Rights Engagement
Ballal’s activism is central to his identity, extending beyond research to include membership in the “Humans of Masafer Yatta” project, a media initiative aimed at sharing personal narratives from the region . This project, accessible via Substack , includes posts like “Water in Masafer Yatta,” detailing the intentional deprivation of water resources by the occupation, reflecting Ballal’s role in amplifying community voices. His volunteer work with B’Tselem further underscores his commitment, as he documents violations such as home demolitions and settler violence, contributing to international advocacy efforts.
Filmmaking Career and “No Other Land”
Ballal’s most notable contribution is co-directing “No Other Land” (2024), alongside Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, a documentary that chronicles the IDF’s destruction of Masafer Yatta and the community’s resistance . The film, produced over five years from 2019 to 2023, won critical acclaim, including the Berlinale Documentary Award and the Panorama Audience Award, before securing the Best Documentary Feature at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025 . This success, despite initial challenges in finding a U.S. distributor due to its political content, highlights its global impact, grossing more than other nominated documentaries in 2025.
The film’s narrative, focusing on the forced displacement and demolition of homes, schools, and water wells, is a personal endeavor for Ballal, given his roots in Susiya. It also features a unique collaboration between Palestinian and Israeli directors, an unexpected alliance given the region’s tensions, as seen in their Oscar acceptance speeches calling for “serious actions to stop the injustice” . During the ceremony, Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham spoke, with Adra expressing hope for his daughter’s future free from violence, and Abraham emphasizing the unequal legal regimes they live under, though Ballal himself did not speak publicly at the event.
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Personal Life and Community Ties
Ballal is married with one son, and his family life is deeply intertwined with his activism, living in Susiya amidst ongoing threats. His personal experiences, such as witnessing settler attacks and documenting demolitions, are reflected in his work, aiming to secure a safer future for his community. His role as a farmer also ties him to the land, a central element in the conflict depicted in “No Other Land.”
Recent Events and Challenges
On March 24, 2025, Ballal faced a significant personal challenge when he was attacked by armed Jewish settlers at his home in Susiya, an incident witnessed and reported by Jewish American activists. The settlers, numbering about 15 and some masked, threw stones and damaged property, leading to his detention by the IDF. He was held overnight, reportedly beaten, and released on March 25, 2025, with visible bruises and blood on his clothes . In statements post-release, he described being blindfolded, held under a cold air conditioner, and hearing soldiers laugh about his Oscar win, highlighting the personal risks of his activism .
Impact and Legacy
Ballal’s work has significantly raised awareness about the plight of Masafer Yatta, with “No Other Land” serving as a vital document of resistance and a call for action. His collaboration with Israeli co-directors, despite political divides, is a notable aspect, offering a model of cross-cultural partnership in addressing conflict. His recent experiences, including the attack and detention, highlight the ongoing dangers faced by activists in the region, yet his resilience continues to inspire, as seen in the global solidarity messages following the film’s premiere .
Below is a table summarizing key milestones in Hamdan Ballal’s life and career:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Born in Susiya, West Bank, in the Masafer Yatta region |
| 2019-2023 | Co-directed “No Other Land,” documenting Masafer Yatta’s destruction |
| 2024 | “No Other Land” wins Berlinale Documentary Award and other festival prizes |
| 2025 | “No Other Land” wins Best Documentary Feature at the 97th Academy Awards |
| March 24, 2025 | Attacked by settlers and detained by IDF at his home in Susiya |
| March 25, 2025 | Released from detention, reports beating and harsh conditions |
Another table detailing his roles and affiliations:
| Role | Organization/Project | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Farmer, Photographer, Researcher | Independent | Contributes to community livelihood and documentation |
| Field Researcher | B’Tselem | Documents human rights abuses in the West Bank |
| Member | Humans of Masafer Yatta ([Humans of Masafer Yatta | |
| Co-Director | No Other Land | Films and produces documentary on Masafer Yatta’s struggles |
Conclusion
Hamdan Ballal’s journey from a farmer in Susiya to an Oscar-winning film-maker exemplifies the power of art and activism in addressing human rights issues. His work with “No Other Land” and his ongoing efforts with B’Tselem and “Humans of Masafer Yatta” continue to shed light on the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for justice and equality. His recent experiences, while challenging, reinforce his commitment to his community’s cause, making him a pivotal figure in contemporary Palestinian resistance and global cinema.