US Activist Shot by Israeli Forces During West Bank Protest
A tragic incident occurred in the West Bank as a 26-year-old US citizen, Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, was shot by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) while participating in a weekly protest against settlement expansion in Beita, a town located south of Nablus. Local media reports confirm that Eygi was critically injured during the protest, which escalated into violence as demonstrators clashed with the IDF. Eygi was subsequently taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, but medical sources reported that she succumbed to her injuries shortly after being admitted.
In addition to Eygi, an 18-year-old Palestinian was also injured during the confrontation. The IDF stated on X (formerly Twitter) that its forces responded with live fire against what they described as a 'main instigator' who allegedly hurled rocks and posed a threat to their soldiers. They mentioned that they are investigating reports of a foreign national being killed in the incident.
Eygi, originally from Antalya, Turkey, was noted for her activism aimed at protecting Palestinian farmers from military actions by the Israeli forces. This incident appears against the backdrop of heightened tensions and recent military operations by the IDF, particularly following their withdrawal from Jenin after a significant nine-day campaign that reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 36 Palestinians and extensive damage to local infrastructure.
The incident highlights the ongoing violence and complex issues relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which continues to result in casualties and protests. Eygi's death adds to the growing concerns about the safety of foreign activists in the region, particularly amidst a landscape marked by conflict and dissent following the escalation of war between Israel and Hamas that began in October 2023.
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