West Bank Israeli settler charged over killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen

Israeli prosecutors on Thursday charged a West Bank settler over the killing of prominent Palestinian activist and community leader Awdah Hathaleen, marking a rare prosecution in a case involving settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied territory.

According to an indictment filed in a district court, prosecutors charged Yinon Levi, a resident of the southern West Bank, with reckless manslaughter in connection with Hathaleen's death in July 2025. He was also charged with armed trespassing and malicious property damage.

Reckless manslaughter carries a lesser punishment than murder under Israeli law.

The indictment comes more than a year after Hathaleen was fatally shot in the Palestinian village of Umm al-Khair. Video footage from the incident showed Levi firing towards groups of Palestinians during a confrontation.

Witnesses said one of the shots struck Hathaleen, who was standing only metres away. Another video, which family members said was recorded by Hathaleen himself, allegedly captured Levi firing towards the person holding the camera before the footage abruptly ended, with moans of pain audible in the background.

Levi's lawyer, Avichay Hajbi, described the prosecution's decision as "mistaken" and said the defence would respond to the charges in court. He did not confirm whether the indictment had been formally served.

Israeli human rights organisation B'Tselem described the indictment as unprecedented in recent years, saying it was the first time since the October 7, 2023 attacks that an Israeli had been charged over the death of a Palestinian in the West Bank.

The group said Israeli settlers and security forces have killed at least 1,100 Palestinians in the territory during that period.

Hathaleen, a teacher and father of three, was widely known for campaigning against settler violence and for hosting international activists and dignitaries in his village.

He also featured in the Oscar-winning 2025 documentary "No Other Land," which chronicled Palestinian efforts to prevent the demolition of their homes and villages in the occupied West Bank.

His killing drew international attention, with rights groups and activists calling for Levi to be prosecuted.

Levi was among several Israeli settlers sanctioned by the United States and other Western governments in 2024 over allegations of violence against Palestinians. Those US sanctions were lifted after President Donald Trump returned to office the following year.