In a tragic incident that occurred approximately one year ago, on September 1, 2024, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American-Turkish activist, lost her life during a demonstration against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The event has sparked international concern and calls for a thorough investigation.
The protest took place in Beita, a Palestinian town in the northern West Bank, near the Israeli settlement of Evyatar. Witnesses reported that Israeli troops opened fire on protesters, resulting in Eygi's fatal head injury. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, where Israeli settlements have been a source of conflict for decades.
Jonathan Pollak, an Israeli activist present at the scene, described how the situation escalated after a communal prayer held by Palestinians and international activists. According to Pollak, Israeli soldiers surrounded the group, leading to clashes where protesters threw stones, and troops responded with tear gas and live ammunition.
"The shots were coming from the direction of the army. They were not coming from anywhere else."
Eygi, who had arrived in the West Bank just three days prior to the incident, was rushed to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus in critical condition. Despite efforts to save her life, hospital staff were unable to revive her.
The White House expressed deep concern over the death of an American citizen and requested an investigation into the incident. Similarly, the Turkish government demanded justice for their citizen, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring those responsible are held accountable.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that their forces had responded to violent activity, claiming they fired at an individual who posed a threat by hurling rocks. The IDF acknowledged the reports of a foreign national's death and announced that the circumstances surrounding the incident are under review.
This tragic event underscores the complex and volatile situation in the West Bank, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967. The region is home to approximately 3 million Palestinians and over 450,000 Israeli settlers living in more than 130 settlements. These settlements are considered illegal under international law, a stance reaffirmed by multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The incident also brings attention to the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The West Bank, geographically diverse with mountains, fertile valleys, and access to the Dead Sea, is not only a site of political tension but also rich in archaeological heritage, including the ancient city of Jericho.
In a separate but equally distressing incident on the same day, a 13-year-old Palestinian girl was reported killed during clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank village of Qaryut, further highlighting the ongoing violence in the region.
As the international community awaits the results of the investigation, this tragic loss of life serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the long-standing conflict and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution in the region.