Israeli prosecutors filed an indictment against Yinon Levi, a settler residing in a West Bank outpost, charging him with reckless manslaughter in connection with the death of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen in July 2025. The charges also include armed trespassing and malicious property damage. Under Israeli law, reckless manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.
Hathaleen was a prominent community leader and teacher who advocated against settler violence in the southern West Bank. He gained international recognition through his involvement in the 2025 Oscar-winning documentary film “No Other Land,” which documented Palestinian efforts to protect their homes and villages. Video evidence from the day of the incident showed Levi firing shots in the direction of buildings and Palestinians in Hathaleen’s village of Umm al-Khair. According to the indictment, the first shot struck Hathaleen as he stood in a courtyard approximately 20 meters away, documenting the scene. The bullet punctured his lung and chest, leading to his death from hypovolemic shock and respiratory failure before reaching the hospital.
The indictment represents a significant legal action in the occupied West Bank. According to Israeli rights organization B’Tselem, this is the first indictment of an Israeli for killing a Palestinian in the West Bank since October 7, 2023. The organization noted that Israeli settlers and soldiers have killed at least 1,100 Palestinians in the West Bank during this period.
Levi, who was previously sanctioned by the United States and other Western countries over allegations of violence toward Palestinians in 2024, denies the charges. In a statement to prosecutors, he claimed his actions constituted self-defense and accused prosecutors of supporting terrorism. His legal representative characterized the prosecution as a mistaken decision. Levi is not currently under arrest, and prosecutors indicated that a meeting will be scheduled in coming weeks to formally present the charges against him.
Family members and legal representatives of Hathaleen expressed that while the indictment cannot reverse his death, it represents an important development. Legal advocates attributed the indictment to video evidence and sustained pressure on law enforcement authorities throughout the investigation process.
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