The killing of Palestinian activist Awda Al-Hathaleen has sparked international outrage and renewed calls for accountability over rising settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Al-Hathaleen was shot in the chest by Israeli settlers during a raid on the village of Umm Al-Khair in the South Hebron Hills. One of the attackers, Yinon Levi, previously sanctioned by the UK and EU, was arrested but quickly released under house arrest.

Amnesty International condemned the killing, describing it as a "cold-blooded act" and a chilling example of the daily threats Palestinians face. Senior Amnesty official Erika Guevara Rosas called for an independent international investigation and accused Israeli authorities of deliberately failing to address settler violence.

Al-Hathaleen, a father of three and respected activist from the Masafer Yatta region, had recently briefed British lawmakers about threats to his life. He also featured in the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, which highlighted the forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank.

Since October 2023, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 7,000 injured in the West Bank amid rising tensions following the Gaza conflict. Human rights groups say settler attacks have sharply increased with little accountability.

Rabbis for Human Rights mourned Al-Hathaleen's death, describing him as a longtime ally in the struggle for justice. The group blamed unchecked settler violence for his murder and called for urgent protective action.

France joined the condemnation, labeling settler violence as terrorism and warning Israel of possible sanctions if illegal actions continue unchecked.

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