A shocking incident in the occupied West Bank has brought to light the precarious situation faced by international aid workers, as an American nurse who valiantly attempted to save a Palestinian activist’s life was subsequently detained and deported by Israeli authorities. This event underscores a troubling pattern where those providing critical humanitarian aid in conflict zones face severe impediments, while alleged perpetrators of violence often remain unhindered.
The ordeal began when Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian activist renowned for his work on the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” was gravely injured in Umm al-Khair village. According to eyewitness accounts, Israeli settler Yinon Levi allegedly shot Hathaleen. The critical care nurse, whose identity remains protected for safety concerns, immediately rendered four rounds of CPR, cradling his head and whispering reassurances as he bled. Despite desperate efforts, Hathaleen tragically died en route to the hospital.
Minutes before the attack on Hathaleen, another settler in an excavator attempted to demolish a home, striking Hathaleen’s cousin, Ahmad, in the head. The American nurse quickly assessed Ahmad, who suffered a severe concussion, administering a neurological exam before he too was transported for medical care. These incidents highlight the systematic denial of medical assistance to Palestinians injured by Israelis, a deeply concerning trend that significantly impacts human rights and humanitarian efforts in the region.
Following these traumatic events, Israeli law enforcement officers detained the American nurse and an Italian citizen, holding them for nearly 24 hours. The nurse recounted seeing blindfolded, zip-tied Palestinians in detention, while the alleged settler attacker, Yinon Levi, freely interacted with police officers, sharing cigarettes without any apparent restraint. This stark contrast fuels widespread concerns about accountability and the impartiality of law enforcement in the occupied territories.
The nurse was eventually deported to Jordan, believing their removal was a direct consequence of witnessing the settler incursion and violence, and providing essential medical aid to the victims. This aligns with statements from other Americans present at the scene who reported similar detentions and hindrances to their attempts to help Palestinians, suggesting a deliberate policy of obstruction against humanitarian workers.
Experts, such as Yousef Munayyer from the Arab Center Washington DC, confirm this “longstanding pattern” of denying medical assistance to injured Palestinians, often until they bleed out. The incident further contributes to the escalating settler violence in the West Bank, which has seen a significant surge in recent months, with July alone recording numerous injuries and attacks on vital infrastructure, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Eyewitnesses, including American medical student Tynan Kavanaugh and journalist Charlie Nichols, corroborated the nurse’s account, describing how Levi, the alleged assailant, moved freely among Israeli military personnel for an extended period after the shooting, seemingly directing arrests of Palestinians. This apparent collaboration between settlers and security forces reinforces perceptions of complicity, suggesting a protected environment for those committing violent acts against Palestinians.
The harrowing experience of providing emergency medical care under such conditions was further compounded by the lack of resources. Kavanaugh noted the scarcity of water, stating, “The village has so little water that I’m standing there trying to talk to [them] covered in blood that I can’t wash off.” This poignant detail underscores the dire living conditions and the challenges faced by both residents and aid providers in Umm al-Khair, a community already vulnerable.
The nurse’s presence in Umm al-Khair that day was at Hathaleen’s personal request for health check-ups for villagers, a testament to the community’s trust and need for basic medical services. The bond formed was evident as Hathaleen even helped plan a surprise birthday party for the nurse. This personal connection makes the subsequent events even more tragic, highlighting the human cost of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the urgent need for unfettered humanitarian access.
