The family of a 26-year-old American citizen blamed an Israeli military shooter for killing her during a protest in the occupied West Bank. They said that relying on an Israeli investigation alone would not suffice.
Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who had recently graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle, was shot and killed during a demonstration in the town of Beita. The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) confirmed this.
Eygi’s family stated that she was peacefully standing for justice when an Israeli military shooter fired the fatal shot. They believe that an independent investigation into the unlawful killing of a U.S. citizen must be conducted by President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary of State Blinken.
The White House expressed condolences and requested more information from Israel’s government about the incident. They were deeply disturbed by Eygi’s death, as confirmed by the National Security Council spokesperson.
Eygi was participating in a weekly protest in Beita against the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The ISM mentioned that the protest was met with force from the IDF, resulting in Eygi being shot in the head and later passing away at a hospital in Nablus.
The Israel Defense Forces claimed that they fired in response to an instigator of violent activity who posed a threat to them. However, they are looking into reports that a foreign national, Eygi, was killed as a result of their shots.
Eygi, who also held Turkish citizenship, was described as a passionate advocate for human rights with a background in psychology. Her family and the University of Washington mourned her death, portraying her as a kind, brave, and caring individual.
Eygi’s family expressed deep sorrow over her unexpected death, mentioning that she was only 26 years old. They described her as a loving family member who lived a life devoted to serving others and fighting for justice.
Eygi had participated in protests while studying at the University of Washington and continued her activism in the West Bank to show solidarity with Palestinians facing repression and violence.
Since October 7, at least two other American citizens have been killed in the West Bank. The rise in Israeli settlements and violence against Palestinians has sparked concern from human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch.
Recent deadly operations carried out by the IDF in the West Bank have resulted in numerous casualties, raising humanitarian concerns over the excessive use of force. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has been closely monitoring the situation.
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