Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

5 minutes read. Updated 11:24PM GMT Sat, 7 September, 2024

Tensions escalated in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Friday when Aysenur Eygi, a 26-year-old American woman, was shot and killed during a pro-Palestinian protest. The U.S. State Department confirmed her death, which occurred near the town of Beita, just south of Nablus, where Eygi had been participating in a demonstration against the expansion of Israeli settlements.

Eygi, a dual U.S.-Turkish national, was struck in the head, according to local sources, and succumbed to her injuries after being rushed to a hospital. Palestinian doctor Dr. Ward Basalat, speaking to the Associated Press, confirmed Eygi’s death upon her arrival at the hospital. The Israeli military admitted that troops had opened fire in the area but were still investigating the circumstances of her death.

Israeli Military’s Response

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that soldiers had responded to violent activity during the demonstration. According to the IDF, one of the demonstrators, labeled as a “main instigator,” had been hurling rocks at the troops, posing a threat. The IDF claimed that the soldiers had fired in response but were still reviewing the details of Eygi’s death.

A witness from the Defend Palestine activist group, Jonathan Pollak, told CBS News that Israeli soldiers fired two shots from a distance of around 200 yards. The first bullet struck a Palestinian boy, while the second fatally wounded Eygi, who was reportedly standing near an olive tree.

U.S. State Department Reacts

In Washington, the U.S. government swiftly addressed the tragedy. “We offer our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. He assured the public that the U.S. is “urgently gathering more information about the circumstances of her death.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking from the Dominican Republic, expressed his sorrow and promised further updates as more details emerge.

Turkey Condemns Eygi’s Death

In Ankara, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry condemned the killing, calling it “a murder committed by the Netanyahu Government.” The statement went on to accuse Israel of deliberately intimidating international activists who support the Palestinian cause, asserting that “those who commit crimes against humanity will be held accountable before international courts.”

Escalating Violence in the West Bank

Eygi’s death is a tragic reflection of the mounting violence in the West Bank, which has seen significant unrest since the Hamas attacks on Israel in October. The Israeli government, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has ramped up military operations in response, particularly targeting Palestinian protests in areas like Beita. Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law, continue to grow in the West Bank. Despite international condemnation, the Israeli government has encouraged these expansions, leading to increased tensions between Palestinians and settlers.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 661 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. Israeli officials, in contrast, report that 23 Israelis have lost their lives in Palestinian attacks during the same period.

The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has also reported that over 2,300 Palestinians have been displaced in 2024 due to home demolitions and settlement expansions, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Ongoing Investigation

As of now, both U.S. and Israeli officials are investigating Eygi’s death. The incident has sparked outrage among international human rights groups, further intensifying the global spotlight on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Advocacy groups have called for a transparent investigation, emphasizing the need for accountability as the region faces one of its most volatile periods in years.

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An American woman was shot and killed by Israeli forces during a pro-Palestinian protest in the West Bank. U.S. and Turkish officials condemn the violence, while investigations continue.