Kathmandu— Israeli prosecutors have charged settler Yinon Levi with reckless manslaughter, armed trespassing, and malicious property damage over the July 2025 killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen in the occupied West Bank. This is the first such indictment of an Israeli civilian in more than seven years.

Background on Killing

Hathaleen, a 31-year-old teacher and father of three, was killed when settlers brought excavators into his village, Umm al-Khair, to level land for an illegal outpost. Video footage reportedly filmed by Hathaleen himself showed Levi firing shots towards the crowd. A separate investigation by Palestinian rights group Al-Haq found that none of the Palestinians present were armed and matched the fatal wound to Levi’s handgun.

Legal Proceedings

Levi's indictment includes charges of reckless manslaughter, armed trespassing, and malicious property damage. His lawyer has called these charges mistaken and stated they will contest them in court. The last time an Israeli civilian was indicted over the killing of a Palestinian in the West Bank was in 2019.

Human Rights Groups' Response

Israeli rights organization B’Tselem called the indictment 'the exception that proves the rule,' suggesting Israel’s impunity for settlers and soldiers is deliberate policy. According to B'Tselem, at least 1,100 Palestinians, including 240 children, have been killed in the West Bank by settlers and soldiers since the Gaza war began in October 2023.

The indictment comes amid a surge in settler violence in the West Bank, with attacks averaging about 190 per month in 2026.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.