The U.S. State Department confirmed in a statement to Reuters that it’s aware of the death of an American citizen, Sayafollah Musallet, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, after he was reportedly beaten to death by Israeli settlers in the town of Sinjil, north of Ramallah.
“This is an unimaginable nightmare and injustice that no family should ever have to face. We demand the U.S. State Department lead an immediate investigation and hold the Israeli settlers who killed Saif accountable for their crimes,” Musallet’s family said in a statement.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department by submission form outside of normal business hours on Saturday morning for comment.
Why It Matters
Violence in the West Bank has surged following the Palestinian militant group Hamas‘ deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The roughly 2,200-square mile territory includes the disputed holy city of Jerusalem and has long been a flashpoint for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
An intensification of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) incursions, Palestinian militant activity and violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers seeking to expand territorial holdings considered illegal under international—and sometimes Israeli law —threatens to push the tense situation beyond the brink.
President Donald Trump rescinded sanctions on Israeli settler groups that had been imposed under former President Joe Biden but calls for renewed accountability have come from various lawmakers and advocacy organizations in response to continued American deaths in the region.
Musallet’s death marks at least the seventh American fatality in the occupied territories since October 2023. Other cases include the shooting deaths of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, teenager Omar Mohammad Rabea, and activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.
What To Know
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that Musallet, a 20-year-old Palestinian-American from Florida, was beaten by settlers and left without medical assistance for several hours on Friday, as attackers reportedly blocked ambulances from reaching him.
His brother managed to carry him to an ambulance, but Musallet died before arriving at a hospital, according to Reuters.
The Israeli military said it is investigating the incident and confirmed that confrontations broke out after Palestinians reportedly threw rocks, with settlers said to be lightly injured. In the same incident, 23-year-old Hussein Al-Shalabi, was shot and killed, and he also did not receive timely medical help.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson on Friday told Reuters that “out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones,” the department would not comment further but confirmed it was aware of the incident. The Israeli military described the event as a “violent confrontation,” stating that non-lethal weapons were used to disperse crowds.
Musallet’s family described him as “a brother and a son, just starting the prime of his life” and a “kind, hard-working, and deeply respected young man” in a statement to The Guardian. They said he had traveled to Palestine from Florida in June and was helping to defend his family’s land.
What Happens Next?
The Israeli military said it’s continuing to investigate the attack in Sinjil. The U.S. State Department stated it is prepared to provide consular services to Musallet’s family but has not publicly committed to an independent investigation.
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