Who is Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi? 26-year-old American activist shot in the head by Israeli troops during protests in the West Bank

The White House expressed deep concern over the death of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American activist who was reportedly shot dead by Israeli troops during a protest in the occupied West Bank. Eygi, who holds dual U.S. and Turkish citizenship, was involved in a demonstration against Israeli settlements in Beita, near Nablus. The U.S. State Department confirmed her death, which sparked strong reactions around the world. The Biden administration called for a thorough investigation into the incident and urged Israel to provide detailed information.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of an American citizen.” She added: “We have reached out to the Israeli government to request further information and to request an investigation into the incident.”

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they were “investigating reports that a foreign national was killed by gunfire in the area.”

Although Washington stopped short of blaming anyone, the UN Human Rights Office directly accused Israeli forces of killing Eygi, saying Israeli security forces “shot her in the head and killed her.” The UN said the woman was taking part in a “peaceful protest against the settlements” in Beita, a region where weekly demonstrations take place.

Eygi was a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), an organization that opposes Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. According to Palestinian officials and witnesses, Eygi was shot in the head during a peaceful protest. The ISM claims Israeli forces targeted and killed Eygi, although the Israeli military said its troops shot at a male protester who posed a threat. They are investigating reports that Eygi died from the shooting.

Eygi is the third ISM activist killed since 2000 and the 18th protester to die in Beita since 2020. Her death marks a significant moment as tensions rise in the West Bank amid ongoing conflict. Eygi recently graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle, where she was remembered as a positive influence on her fellow students. The university's president, Ana Mari Cauce, called the news of her death tragic and emphasized Eygi's commitment to justice and human rights.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry condemned the incident and attributed Eygi's death to the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. President Tayyip Erdogan also expressed his outrage and vowed to continue opposing Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories. Eygi's death has drawn international attention and calls for accountability, including from U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, who criticized the Biden administration for not doing enough to seek justice for American citizens killed in the region.

The incident occurred during a regular protest march in Beita, a village that is often targeted by settlers. Fouad Nafaa, head of Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, confirmed that Eygi arrived in critical condition with a serious head injury and died despite attempts to resuscitate her. The Israeli military is currently conducting an internal investigation to clarify the circumstances of her death.

In another incident near Beita, a 13-year-old Palestinian girl was killed by Israeli gunfire during clashes between settlers and Palestinians. The increasing violence has drawn worldwide condemnation and heightened tensions between Israel and its Western allies, including the United States, which has imposed sanctions on some Israelis involved in the settler movement.

Since the 1967 Middle East war, Israel has occupied the West Bank and built settlements there that are widely considered illegal under international law – a position Israel denies, citing historical and biblical ties to the land.