In a tragic turn of events, an American activist lost her life while participating in a protest in the West Bank.
Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old Turkish-American citizen, was reportedly shot in the head during the demonstration.
Details Surrounding the Incident
According to reports from Palestinian media and The Jerusalem Post, it is believed that the fatal gunfire came from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
However, the IDF has not yet confirmed this information.
Eygi was rushed to Rafida Hospital in Nablus, but unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
Eygi’s Mission and Background
Eygi was a dedicated volunteer with the Faz3a campaign, an initiative aimed at protecting Palestinian farmers from settler violence in the West Bank.
She was actively involved in a protest against the expansion of Jewish settlements in the Palestinian town of Beita, located southeast of Nablus.
Eyewitness Accounts
Fayez Abdul Jabbar, a paramedic present at the scene, reported that two live bullets were fired by the Israeli army.
One of these bullets struck Eygi, while the other injured an unidentified person, though their injuries were less severe.
A Pattern of Violence
This tragic incident is not isolated. Just last month, another American activist was shot in the leg by Israeli forces during a protest in Beita.
Additionally, in October of the previous year, a 17-year-old Palestinian, Karam Dweikat, was also killed by Israeli soldiers during protests in the same town.
Reactions and Condemnations
Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas condemned the killing in a statement to Reuters.
He highlighted the indiscriminate nature of the violence, stating, “The bullets do not distinguish between a Palestinian, a child, a woman, or any nationality.”
Daghlas also called on President Biden to cease support for Israel, accusing the state of crossing all lines by targeting not only Palestinians but also foreign nationals, including Americans.
Eygi’s Personal Background
Eygi, who hailed from Seattle, was a psychology graduate from the University of Washington.
She also minored in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she worked as an undergraduate peer mentor at the university.
Originally from Antalya, Turkey, she attended West Seattle High School, as noted on her Facebook page.
What Lies Ahead?
The tragic death of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi has sparked international outrage and renewed calls for justice.
As legal measures are being prepared for submission to the International Criminal Court, the global community watches closely to see what actions will be taken next.