Investigation Reveals How Israeli Settler Evaded Accountability for Killing

A recent investigation has shed light on the tragic events surrounding the death of Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian activist and father of three, who was fatally shot during an incident involving Israeli settlers in the village of Umm al-Khair, located in the southern occupied West Bank. On July 28, 2025, Hathaleen was recording the confrontation when he was struck down, marking a devastating moment for his family and community. The investigation, conducted by the Palestinian rights organization Al-Haq, utilized a variety of sources, including videos, photographs, and legal testimonies, to piece together the circumstances leading to his death. The findings were released on the first anniversary of Hathaleen's killing, revealing that Israeli settler Yinon Levi fired the fatal shot, yet he remains unpunished for his actions.

According to the report, Levi defended himself in court by claiming that there was no connection between his gunfire and Hathaleen's death. However, Al-Haq's analysis contradicted this assertion, as it compared the autopsy results with the weapon Levi possessed. The autopsy indicated that a single bullet to the chest caused lethal bleeding, and the injury matched the specifications of the nine-millimeter handgun used by Levi, which is commonly associated with Israeli settlers. Furthermore, the evidence presented by Al-Haq demonstrated that there was no imminent threat from Hathaleen or any other Palestinians present at the scene, as none were armed. On the day of the incident, Levi was part of a group of settlers who were engaged in land-levelling activities for a new illegal settlement, which had already escalated tensions in the area.