American Woman Dies During Protest in Israeli-Occupied West Bank

Nablus, West Bank — A tragic incident unfolded in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Friday when an American woman was fatally shot. The U.S. State Department confirmed the victim was 26-year-old Aysenur Eygi, who succumbed to her injuries after being shot in the head. Palestinian doctor Dr. Ward Basalat reported that she died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Eygi was reportedly attending a pro-Palestinian demonstration against settlement expansions in the Nablus area, specifically near the town of Beita. Witnesses, along with activists and Palestinian media, stated that Israeli troops were responsible for the gunfire that led to her death. The Israeli military has acknowledged the incident and indicated that they are conducting an investigation.

Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, expressed condolences, stating, “We offer our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.” He indicated that the U.S. government was gathering more information regarding the circumstances surrounding Eygi’s death and would provide updates as they become available.

In their response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that troops were present near Beita and had “responded with fire toward a main instigator of violent activity who hurled rocks at the forces and posed a threat to them.” The IDF confirmed that they were looking into reports of a foreign national being killed due to shots fired in the area, emphasizing that the details of the incident are under review.

Jonathan Pollak from the Defend Palestine activist group provided additional context, noting that IDF forces fired two shots from a distance of approximately 150 to 200 yards during the protest. He stated that the first bullet injured a local boy in the thigh, while the second struck Eygi, who was positioned under an olive tree at the time.

Eygi held dual U.S.-Turkish nationality, and Turkey’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning her death, calling it “this murder committed by the Netanyahu [Israeli] Government.” The statement accused Israel of attempting to intimidate those who support the Palestinian cause or advocate against what they termed genocide. They declared that the ongoing policy of violence would be met with accountability in international courts.

The cycle of violence has escalated in the West Bank since Hamas launched a terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, igniting an ongoing war in Gaza. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Eygi was actively involved in a protest campaign aimed at safeguarding Palestinian farmers from increased attacks by Israeli settlers, which have surged significantly since October.

As of late last year, approximately 700,000 Israelis resided in settlements distributed across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Despite being considered illegal under international law, the current Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, continues to promote the establishment of new settlements, which are often referred to as “outposts.” This expansion of settlements has exacerbated tensions in the region.

Data compiled by the Palestinian health ministry has revealed that since October, Israeli troops or settlers have been responsible for the deaths of at least 661 Palestinians in the West Bank. Conversely, Israeli officials report that at least 23 Israelis, including security forces members, have been killed in attacks launched by Palestinians in the same timeframe.

The United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has noted that over 2,300 individuals have been forced to leave their homes in 2024 alone due to the demolition of Palestinian-owned structures throughout the West Bank. This ongoing situation continues to highlight the increasing humanitarian concerns amid rising violence in the region.