US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a phone call with his Israeli counterpart, urging the Israeli military to review its rules of engagement following the death of Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in the occupied West Bank by an Israeli sniper. Austin expressed concern over the unprovoked killing of Eygi, calling for a reexamination of the IDF’s rules of engagement in the region. The Pentagon confirmed Austin offering condolences for the Israeli civilians killed at the Allenby Crossing and emphasized the need for a cease-fire in Gaza and a hostage swap deal.
Eygi, 26, was fatally shot during a protest against illegal Israeli settlements, prompting the Israeli army to state that her death was likely accidental. President Joe Biden referred to the incident as an “accident,” but has not contacted Eygi’s family to offer condolences. The family, outraged by suggestions of an unintentional killing, demanded an independent investigation. They called on US government leaders to investigate the deliberate targeting of a US citizen by the Israeli military.