The White House has requested Israeli authorities to investigate the killing of Aysenur Eygi, an American-Turkish citizen, during a protest in the West Bank.
Israeli forces allegedly shot 26-year-old Aysenur Eygi amidst an anti-settlement demonstration, NBC New York reported.
Aysenur Eygi attended a protest against the expansion of Israeli settlements in the town of Beita, north of Ramallah. The demonstration reportedly escalated, resulting in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) using live ammunition. The International Solidarity Movement described the event as involving peaceful activities disrupted by IDF interventions.
Eygi's death has intensified the focus on the IDF's operations in the area, especially since Eygi is the first non-Palestinian among the 18 demonstrators killed in Beita since 2020. The IDF has acknowledged their presence during the incident and confirmed that they are reviewing the circumstances that led to Eygi's death.
Human Rights Watch has reported an increase in settler violence alongside the expansion of Israeli settlements. This recent incident adds to a string of violent occurrences, raising further questions about the usage of excessive force by Israeli forces in Palestinian territories.
Humanitarian agencies, including the UN, have echoed concerns over escalated violence after a period of intensive military operations by Israeli forces in Jenin and other areas in the West Bank. These operations have led to numerous fatalities and accusations of disproportionate force.
Sean Savett, the spokesman for the White House National Security Council, expressed the U.S. government's disturbance over the incident. Sean Savett said, "We are deeply disturbed by the tragic death of an American citizen, Aysenur Egzi Eygi, today in the West Bank and our hearts go out to her family and loved ones. We have reached out to the government of Israel to ask for more information and request an investigation into the incident."
Recep Erdogan, President of Türkiye, condemned the actions taken by the IDF. “I condemn Israel's barbaric intervention against a civilian protest against the occupation in the West Bank. It is unacceptable for such militarized force to be used against peaceful demonstrators, and such acts should meet with international scrutiny and appropriate consequences,” he stated.
The International Solidarity Movement has criticized the response to what they claimed were predominantly peaceful demonstrations involving prayers. Reports from the scene indicated that the IDF deployed tear gas prior to firing live rounds.
The protests at Beita have been a consistent weekly occurrence, directly challenging the continued expansion of nearby settlements deemed illegal under international law. Aysenur Eygi's participation in these protests highlights the international dimension of resistance against Israeli settlement policies.
These tensions in the West Bank are part of a broader pattern of increased hostility, which has caught the eye of international human rights organizations citing escalating human needs and potential violations of international standards of military engagement.
The humanitarian update from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) described Israeli military tactics as "lethal, war-like," which they noted not only endangers lives but also complicates the living conditions of the Palestinian population in affected areas.
In conclusion, the call by the U.S. for an investigation into Aysenur Eygi's death underscores the complexity and international implications of Israel's settlement policies and military actions in the West Bank. The increased local and international attention may prompt further scrutiny of how these practices align with international law and human rights standards.
