Tue Sep 10 14:38:00 UTC 2024: ## American-Turkish Activist Killed in West Bank Demonstration: Israeli Military Claims Indirect Shooting
**Beita, West Bank:** Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American-Turkish activist, was killed last Friday during a demonstration against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Eygi, who was a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), was shot in the head and died at a local hospital.
The Israeli military has claimed that the shooting was likely unintentional and indirect. According to their investigation, Eygi was hit by stray fire aimed at a “key instigator of the riot,” not at her directly.
However, Eygi’s family has disputed the Israeli investigation, calling it inadequate and demanding an independent inquiry. They have also called on the US government to intervene, citing Eygi’s American citizenship and demanding accountability for her death.
The White House has expressed deep concern over Eygi’s death and called on Israel to conduct a thorough investigation. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the killing as “unprovoked and unjustified,” calling for fundamental changes in Israeli forces’ rules of engagement.
Turkey has condemned the killing, calling it “murder” and demanding an end to Israel’s occupation. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan vowed to continue working against Israel’s policies.
Witnesses at the demonstration, including other ISM activists, reported seeing an Israeli soldier on a rooftop firing shots before Eygi was injured. The ISM claims that 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces at weekly protests in Beita since March 2020.
This incident comes amidst heightened tensions in the West Bank, with increasing violence and attacks between Israeli settlers and Palestinians. Last month, Israeli forces launched raids across the West Bank, including a full-scale operation in Jenin.
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