In a concerning development, Israel’s IDF military has been engaged in a significant 10-day operation in the West Bank, focusing heavily on ‘counter-terror’ operations in Jenin. The Palestinian health ministry has reported that at least 36 Palestinians have been killed during this operation, which is being described as the largest in the West Bank in years. There are growing fears that the situation could escalate to resemble the volatile state of affairs in the Gaza Strip.
Washington has taken greater notice of the deteriorating situation after the tragic death of 26-year old American-Turkish human rights activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi on Friday. The incident occurred during a protest in Beita, south of Nablus in the West Bank, where eyewitnesses reported that Israeli forces used live ammunition on a large group of protesters.
According to the Jerusalem Post, “During the weekly protest in Beita, IDF soldiers opened fire at the protesters using live ammunition. Eygi was subsequently critically wounded in the head. The 26-year-old activist was evacuated to Rafida Hospital in Nablus, where she later died.” Doctors at the hospital confirmed her death and subsequent social media posts from the hospital displayed Eygi’s American passport.
Along with live ammunition, Israeli forces reportedly used stun grenades and tear gas in an attempt to disperse the protest in Beita. The Jerusalem Post provides more information on the organization Eygi was protesting with: “Eygi was part of the Faz’a campaign, which supports Palestinian farmers against military and settler violations. Similar to Rachel Corrie, who was killed in Rafah in 2003 while attempting to interfere with IDF operations, Eygi was a member of the International Solidarity Movement, a Palestinian-led movement.
Israel’s military has stated that it is investigating the shooting but also appears to admit responsibility: “The Israeli military stated that during a violent public disorder, stones were thrown at IDF forces, who responded by shooting at the lower body of the main instigator of the rioters,” the IDF was quoted in local media as saying.
In the aftermath of Eygi’s death, Palestinian doctor said, “We tried to perform a resuscitation operation on her, but unfortunately she died.” The governments of both Turkey and the United States confirmed Eygi’s dual nationality status as Turkish-born and a citizen of the United States. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated: “We are aware of the tragic death of an American citizen, Aysenur Eygi, today in the West Bank. We offer our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. We are urgently gathering more information about the circumstances of her death, and will have more to say as we learn more. We have no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens.
This tragic incident is likely to heighten tensions between the US and Israel further, with existing relations between Turkey and Tel Aviv already at a historic low point. This latest development could potentially send ties spiraling further downward.
