JERUSALEM — Israeli prosecutors have charged a settler for the killing of a Palestinian activist last year in the occupied West Bank, according to an indictment filed in a district court in southern Israel, reports BritPanorama.
This indictment marks the first time since October 7, 2023, that an Israeli has been indicted for killing a Palestinian in the West Bank, said Israeli rights group B’Tselem.
The state attorneys accuse Yinon Levi, a settler residing in an outpost in the southern West Bank, of reckless manslaughter in the death of prominent Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen in July 2025. Under Israeli law, a conviction for reckless manslaughter can result in a maximum prison sentence of 12 years.
In addition, Levi is also charged with armed trespassing and malicious property damage.
Hathaleen was well-known as a community leader and an advocate against settler violence in the southern West Bank. He played a significant role in the 2025 Oscar-winning film “No Other Land,” which documented the struggle of Palestinian residents to protect their homes and villages.
Activist’s family, lawyer hope for change as settler vows to fight back
Eitan Peleg, the lawyer representing Hathaleen’s family, expressed hope that the indictment could signal a turning point leading to more severe enforcement of the law in the West Bank against perpetrators of violence. “This could be a significant moment for accountability,” he stated.
Tariq Hathaleen, Awdah’s cousin, acknowledged that while the indictment will not revive his relative, it is a meaningful development. “It’s good for the settlers to learn that they shouldn’t shoot at us,” he remarked.
In response to the indictment, Levi has asserted his intention to contest the charges. He sent a letter to prosecutors stating that they should not penalize acts of self-defense, suggesting their actions could be seen as providing “de facto support for terrorism.”
Levi’s lawyer, Avichay Hajbi, described the decision to indict as a “mistaken decision,” adding that the defense team will address the accusations in court.
A spokesperson from the prosecutors’ office confirmed that the indictment had been filed in Beersheba, adding that Levi is not currently under arrest. A meeting will be arranged in the coming weeks to formally present the charges against him.
Since October 7, 2023, at least 1,100 Palestinians have been reported killed in the West Bank by Israeli settlers and soldiers, according to B’Tselem.
B’Tselem spokesperson Yair Dvir characterized the indictment as an exception highlighting a broader issue: “The impunity granted by Israel to soldiers and settlers who harm Palestinians is not a failure of the system; it is a core component of a policy designed to permit violence to continue.”
Footage of the attack shows settler firing shots
The indictment arrives just over a year after Hathaleen’s death. Video footage from the incident shows Levi shooting towards buildings and a group of Palestinians in Hathaleen’s village, Umm al-Khair, on the day the activist was killed.
One video captured two shots fired by Levi, while another clip, reportedly filmed by Hathaleen himself, showed Levi shooting towards the camera holder, with the recording concluding as moans of pain were heard.
According to the indictment from Israel’s Southern District Prosecutor’s Office, the first shot fired by Levi struck Hathaleen, who was documenting events from a courtyard approximately 20 meters (about 65 feet) away. The bullet perforated Hathaleen’s lung and chest, causing him to bleed profusely.
He was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital, having suffered from hypovolemic shock and respiratory failure.
Hathaleen was noted as a teacher and father who frequently hosted international activists and visitors in his home.
Levi has previously been sanctioned by the United States and other Western nations for allegations of violence against Palestinians in 2024. However, these sanctions were lifted following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump in 2025.
Residents of Umm Al-Khair reported ongoing incidents of settlers intruding on their lands, noting that Levi has been seen multiple times near the village since the shooting.
Peleg attributed the indictment to the compelling video evidence against Levi and the determination of his family. “We maintained continuous pressure on the police and the district attorney,” he stated. “We didn’t let them act without oversight.”
