Video footage from the incident in which Odeh Mohammed Khalil al-Hadalin was killed
Before the shooting, stones were seen being thrown by residents toward Levy, who was on an ATV. The footage also shows a vehicle’s windshield shattering from a stone strike. According to police, Levy fired his weapon, claiming he feared for his life. However, the video shows that Hadalin was not part of the clashes and was busy filming the scene.
B’Tselem’s Executive Director Yuli Novak condemned the situation: “Palestinians have no rights or protection; they are completely abandoned in Gaza and the West Bank. Odeh’s killing is yet another example of the world standing by while Israeli soldiers and civilians kill Palestinians openly, knowing they will be granted immunity.”
Hadalin’s funeral was held Thursday after Israeli authorities had his body for around 10 days, imposing restrictions on the burial, such as limiting attendees and requiring it to be held in a nearby village. The family refused, with 60 women from the village, including Hadalin’s mother and wife, launching a hunger strike. Eventually, the body was released, though the family said before the funeral that “it was forbidden to raise any organizational flags. Anyone who violates this risks themselves and their family with legal consequences.”
More footage from the incident
(Video: Umm al-Khair resident)
Levy’s release and subsequent return to the area sparked outrage. Social activist Osama Mahamrah called it a deliberate provocation: “They came to dig right in front of our homes. We are in mourning, and they come with tractors. This is a show of force and humiliation.”
He added: “Odeh didn’t threaten anyone, wasn’t armed, didn’t do anything. This was cold-blooded murder. The most outrageous part — Levy was immediately released, claiming self-defense, despite video evidence showing the opposite. This is not a coincidence; it’s policy. They build roads, plant trees, and dig in our land—they want to expel us. If Odeh had been Jewish and the shooter Palestinian, he would already be in prison. But we’re Palestinians, so everything is allowed.”
