Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a U.S.-Turkish dual citizen, died after someone fatally shot her during a protest in the West Bank.
In Beita, near Nablus, Eygi was killed amidst demonstrations against Israeli settlement expansion, Fox News reported.
Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was among the protesters in Beita challenging the expansion of nearby settlements, a contentious issue in the region. During the protest, she suffered a critical injury from a gunshot to her head.
In response, healthcare providers, including Fouad Nafaa, the head of Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, swiftly took the 24-year-old to the hospital and attempted resuscitation. Unfortunately, her injuries were too severe, and she did not survive.
This incident, which occurred on July 26, 2024, marked a violent day in the ongoing conflict over land rights in the West Bank. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) addressed what they described as violent protests involving rock-throwing at security personnel.
The IDF provided their initial response to the event, stating, “Today (Friday), during Israeli security forces activity adjacent to the area of Beita, the forces responded with fire toward a main instigator of violent activity who hurled rocks at the forces and posed a threat to them.”
Following the incident, the Israeli military expressed that they had begun a comprehensive investigation. They stated:
The IDF is looking into reports that a foreign national was killed as a result of shots fired in the area. The details of the incident and the circumstances in which she was hit are under review.
The U.S. State Department also commented on the matter via Fox News: "We are urgently gathering more information about the circumstances of her death and will have more to say as we learn more. We have no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens."
Turkey was vehement in its response, condemning the actions leading to Eygi's death as part of a systemic policy of violence by Israeli authorities. The Turkish Foreign Ministry's strong words reflected this stance:
Israel is trying to intimidate all those who come to the aid of the Palestinian people and who fight peacefully against the genocide. This policy of violence will not work. The Israeli authorities who commit crimes against humanity and those who unconditionally support them will be held accountable before international courts.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of rising violence in the West Bank, including frequent assaults by Israeli settlers on Palestinian communities. Moreover, it underscores the broader unruly climate in the region where territorial disputes often escalate into international incidents.
Palestinian advocates and human rights groups have consistently criticized Israeli responses to protests and resistances as disproportionate and aggressive. Consequently, this latest incident will likely intensify those criticisms and calls for more severe scrutiny of Israeli tactics in the West Bank.
In conclusion, the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi has escalated tensions in the West Bank and drawn sharp criticism from international observers. As investigations continue, the global community watches closely, hoping for resolutions that lead toward peace and justice in the region. Ultimately, the safety of protesters and the actions of military forces remain subjects of international concern and debate.
