American Activist Killed During West Bank Protest Against Settlement Expansion

Friday 06 September 2024 - 15:00

A 26-year-old American activist, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, has been fatally shot during a demonstration in the occupied West Bank. Eygi, who was born in Turkey and held both American and Turkish citizenship, was participating in a protest against the expansion of Jewish settlements in the town of Beita, near Nablus.

According to local media, Eygi was shot by Israeli troops. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they had fired at an individual who was allegedly instigating violence by throwing rocks at the soldiers and posing a threat. Eygi was taken to a hospital in Nablus with a gunshot wound to the head and was later pronounced dead, as reported by AFP news agency.

The IDF has acknowledged the incident, stating they are "looking into reports" of the foreign national’s death. The military emphasized that they are reviewing the details and circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Palestinian sources indicate that Eygi was actively involved in efforts to protect local farmers from violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers. Turkish media confirmed that she was born in Antalya and had dual American and Turkish nationality.

Dr. Fouad Naffa, the head of the hospital where Eygi was treated, confirmed her death, noting she was a U.S. citizen in her mid-20s who succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head.

This tragic event follows the recent withdrawal of Israeli forces from Jenin city and its refugee camp in the West Bank. The withdrawal came after a nine-day military operation that resulted in the deaths of at least 36 Palestinians, including 21 from Jenin governorate, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The casualties included members of armed groups as well as children.

For decades, Israel has been expanding settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where over 700,000 Jews now reside. These settlements are considered illegal under international law by the UN Security Council and various governments, including the UK, though Israel disputes this classification.