Israeli Settler Indicted for Killing Palestinian Film Activist
WHO:
CNN - Yinon Levy, 33, founded the unauthorized Meitarim Farm outpost in the South Hebron Hills of the West Bank in 2021.
CNN - Odeh Hathalin, 31, was a prominent voice advocating against settler violence and was involved in the 2025 Oscar-winning film “No Other Land.”
CNN - Yinon Levy, 33, founded the unauthorized Meitarim Farm outpost in the South Hebron Hills of the West Bank in 2021.
CNN - Odeh Hathalin, 31, was involved in the 2025 Oscar-winning film “No Other Land.”
BBC - Yinon Levy is charged with reckless manslaughter.
CNN - Odeh Hathalin was a prominent Palestinian activist and father of three.
WHAT:
CNN - The indictment against Yinon Levy includes charges of armed trespassing and malicious property damage.
CNN - Prosecutors allege that a confrontation developed between Levy and some villagers who had gathered to stop the backhoe by throwing stones, during which Levy allegedly assaulted two Palestinians.
CNN - At least 41 Israelis have been killed either by a Palestinian armed group or civilian in the West Bank since October 2023, according to the UN.
CNN - Prosecutors allege that Levi assaulted two Palestinians during a confrontation with villagers.
CNN - Yinon Levy has been charged with reckless manslaughter for the killing of Odeh Hathalin.
CNN - The reckless manslaughter charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years.
CNN - The indictment includes charges of armed trespassing and malicious property damage.
BBC - At least 1,110 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank since October 2023.
CNN - 37 Palestinians were killed by Israeli settlers since October 2023.
WHERE:
CNN - The incident occurred in the village of Umm al-Khair, located in the South Hebron Hills of the West Bank.
CNN - The indictment was filed at the Beersheba District Court.
WHEN:
CNN - The shooting of Odeh Hathalin occurred in July 2025.
CNN - The charges against Levi mark the first indictment for killing a Palestinian in the West Bank since the October 7, 2023 attacks.
WHY:
CNN - The charges against Levi are significant as it is extremely unusual for Israel to charge settlers with violence against Palestinians.
HOW:
CNN - Levi allegedly signaled the excavator operator to continue driving and to use the backhoe to break through another fence on the property, despite the presence of villagers, including children.
CNN - Levi allegedly signaled the excavator operator to continue driving and to use the backhoe to break through another fence on the property.
CNN - Levi allegedly ordered an excavator operator to clear an unauthorized route across privately owned Palestinian land.
CNN - Levi allegedly fired a single shot parallel to the ground in an area where children were present, striking Hathalin who was filming from about 20 meters away.
(UPDATED August 7, 2026 16:45 UTC)
Yinon Levy, the founder of the unauthorized Meitarim Farm outpost in the South Hebron Hills, has been indicted on charges of armed trespassing and malicious property damage. Prosecutors allege that during a confrontation with villagers who were trying to stop his backhoe by throwing stones, Levy assaulted two Palestinians while signaling the excavator operator to continue breaking through a fence despite the presence of children. Odeh Hathalin, a prominent advocate against settler violence and involved in the Oscar-winning film “No Other Land,” was also noted for his activism in the region.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 07:04 UTC)
In a troubling development, at least 41 Israelis have lost their lives in the West Bank since October 2023, with the UN attributing these deaths to either a Palestinian armed group or civilians. Yinon Levy, who founded the unauthorized Meitarim Farm outpost in the South Hebron Hills in 2021, is facing allegations of assaulting two Palestinians during a confrontation with local villagers, where he reportedly signaled an excavator operator to break through a fence on the property. Additionally, Odeh Hathalin, known for his involvement in the 2025 Oscar-winning film “No Other Land,” is also part of this complex situation.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 00:53 UTC)
Yinon Levy has been charged with reckless manslaughter in connection with the killing of Odeh Hathalin, a prominent Palestinian activist and father of three, during an incident in the village of Umm al-Khair in the South Hebron Hills of the West Bank. The indictment, filed at the Beersheba District Court, also includes charges of armed trespassing and malicious property damage, and the reckless manslaughter charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years. This marks the first indictment for killing a Palestinian in the West Bank since the October 7, 2023 attacks, highlighting the rarity of such charges against Israeli settlers for violence against Palestinians.