Hamdan Ballal has emerged as one of the most notable figures in the global discussion on Palestinian rights, using his craft as a filmmaker to shed light on the brutal realities faced by Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Born and raised in Susya, a small Palestinian village in the South Hebron Hills of the West Bank, Ballal’s work is not just art—it’s a powerful form of activism. His film No Other Land, which won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, is a testament to his unflinching commitment to documenting human rights abuses and bringing the plight of his people to the world stage.
In this article, we’ll explore Hamdan Ballal’s early life, his rise in the world of filmmaking, his activism, and the sacrifices he’s made along the way to amplify the voices of the oppressed.
Early Life in the South Hebron Hills
Hamdan Ballal was born in 1989 in Susya, a small Palestinian village located in the South Hebron Hills, an area deeply affected by the Israeli occupation. From an early age, Ballal witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of living in an area marked by tension, violence, and constant displacement. As a child in this environment, he became deeply aware of the political struggles surrounding his community, which laid the foundation for his future work in human rights advocacy and filmmaking.
Before diving into filmmaking, Ballal worked in agriculture, photography, and activism. His connection to the land, and the people who fought to preserve it, inspired his initial interest in documenting the stories of those who lived under occupation. He also began volunteering with human rights organizations such as B’Tselem, where he worked as a field researcher, documenting violations and abuses against Palestinians. These experiences exposed him to the power of visual storytelling, and soon, Ballal found his voice as a filmmaker.
Filmmaking and No Other Land
In 2024, Hamdan Ballal co-directed the documentary No Other Land alongside his colleagues Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor. The film explores the violence and displacement campaigns carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the region of Masafer Yatta, focusing on the years between 2019 and 2023. Ballal and his team spent five years filming the devastating effects of settlement expansion and settler violence, offering viewers a powerful and personal look at the trauma faced by Palestinians in the West Bank.
No Other Land is not just a film about war and violence; it’s a film about the human experience in the face of oppression. Through intimate interviews and on-the-ground footage, the documentary tells the story of those who are often overlooked in global discussions—the ordinary people whose lives are torn apart by occupation. The film’s success culminated in an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025, marking a significant milestone in both Ballal’s career and the ongoing conversation about Palestinian rights.
Advocacy and Activism
Beyond his work as a filmmaker, Hamdan Ballal has been deeply committed to human rights activism. His involvement in the Humans of Masafer Yatta project highlights the personal stories of those living in the shadow of Israeli settlements. This project aims to provide a platform for Palestinians who are often rendered voiceless, allowing them to share their experiences and struggles with the world.
Ballal’s activism also extends to his work with B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights organization that documents abuses in the occupied territories. As a volunteer field researcher, he has been instrumental in collecting evidence of human rights violations, helping to raise awareness among the international community about the dire situation in the West Bank. His work has placed him in direct opposition to the Israeli state, making him a target of harassment, threats, and violence.
The Assault and Detention: A Turning Point
In March 2025, following the success of No Other Land at the Academy Awards, Hamdan Ballal became a victim of violent retaliation. While at his home in Susya, Ballal was attacked by a group of masked Israeli settlers. Armed with sticks, stones, and even firearms, the settlers vandalized his property, assaulted him, and caused severe injuries. During the attack, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers arrived and, rather than intervening to protect him, physically assaulted Ballal, striking him in the head with their rifles and threatening his life.
Ballal’s call for medical assistance was intercepted, and he was detained by the IDF, blindfolded and transported to a military base where he was held for hours. Despite suffering from head injuries, Ballal received minimal medical treatment during his detention. His arrest sparked international outrage, with calls for his release coming from filmmakers, human rights organizations, and international bodies, including the European Film Academy.
The incident exemplified the extreme lengths to which Israeli authorities would go to suppress dissent and intimidate those who speak out against the occupation. While Ballal was eventually released, the attack only further solidified his position as an advocate for justice and a voice for the oppressed.
Conclusion
Hamdan Ballal’s life and work stand as a powerful testament to the role of filmmakers and activists in advocating for social change. Through his documentaries, photography, and direct activism, Ballal has not only documented the struggles of his people but also challenged the global community to confront the injustices taking place in the West Bank and beyond.
His work with No Other Land has earned global recognition, but it has also placed him at the center of a contentious struggle, where his life and safety are often at risk. Yet, despite the threats and hardships, Ballal remains steadfast in his commitment to justice, determined to continue using his voice and his art to expose the truth.
At Techstrand, we recognize the importance of individuals like Hamdan Ballal, whose work transcends the realm of filmmaking to become a tool for social change and human rights advocacy. His efforts remind us of the power of storytelling and the need for solidarity in the face of oppression.
FAQs
1. Who is Hamdan Ballal?
Hamdan Ballal is a Palestinian filmmaker, photographer, and human rights activist best known for his Academy Award-winning documentary No Other Land, which sheds light on the struggles of Palestinians in the West Bank.
2. What is No Other Land about?
No Other Land is a documentary that explores the effects of Israeli settler violence and displacement campaigns against Palestinian communities in the Masafer Yatta region between 2019 and 2023.
3. What happened to Hamdan Ballal in March 2025?
In March 2025, Ballal was assaulted by Israeli settlers, and then detained by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) after being attacked at his home in Susya. His treatment sparked widespread international condemnation.
4. How has Hamdan Ballal contributed to human rights activism?
Ballal has worked as a field researcher for B’Tselem and co-founded the Humans of Masafer Yatta project, both of which aim to document human rights abuses and give a platform to Palestinian voices.
5. What impact did No Other Land have?
No Other Land brought global attention to the Palestinian struggle, winning major awards including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, and helping to further the conversation on human rights in the occupied territories.
