A tragic incident unfolded in the West Bank last Friday when 26-year-old American, Aysenur Eygi, was mistakenly killed during an altercation. The IDF admitted that Eygi was likely hit unintentionally while soldiers were aiming for a central instigator amid a clash with Palestinian protesters at the Bita junction. Eygi, a dual Turkish-American citizen and University of Washington graduate, was actively involved in assisting Palestinians in the West Bank through the International Solidarity Movement.
The IDF has launched a criminal probe into the incident and expressed regret over Eygi’s death. Eyewitnesses from the ISM have challenged the IDF’s justification for the use of lethal force, emphasizing that their lives were not endangered by rock-throwing protesters. The US government has called for a thorough investigation and transparency in handling the case.
This tragic event highlights the complex and volatile nature of the conflict in the West Bank, where rules of engagement and the perceived threat to soldiers’ lives come under intense scrutiny. It serves as a somber reminder of the ongoing tensions and violence that plague the region.