Jerusalem, March 25 (HS): Hamdan Ballal, Palestinian co-director of 'No Other Land', was attacked in the West Bank by a group of Israelis. Witnesses say he was beaten and later taken away by Israeli soldiers, according to associates.

According to Basil Adra, a co-director of the film, he went to visit Hamdan at his home on Monday. He lives in the village of Susya and had called for help. A group of Israelis was throwing stones outside Ballal's house, and Israeli police and military were also outside his home. Israeli soldiers were firing on all of them.

According to CNN’s report, the Israeli army stated that they arrived at the scene following reports of violent clashes between Palestinians and Israelis. This clash began after some militants threw stones at Israeli civilians. Some militants also threw stones at security forces. Subsequently, three Palestinians and one Israeli civilian were taken for questioning.

Another co-director of the film, Yuval Abraham, an Israeli, said that Ballal sustained injuries to his head and abdomen. Since then, he has been untraceable. Five American activists residing at the Jewish Peace Center stated that they were present at the scene. They also mentioned that the Israeli residents attacked them. They did not see Ballal being arrested.

The film 'No Other Land' was jointly produced by directors from both Israel and Palestine. The film portrays the story of Palestinians being forcibly evicted from their homes in the West Bank. Ballal has previously faced threats and intimidation.

‘No Other Land’ documents the destruction by Israeli authorities in villages located in the hills of Hebron in the West Bank. The documentary captures the Israeli government's efforts to forcibly evict the villagers.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar