The Israel Defense Forces is investigating allegations that troops shot and killed a dual U.S.-Turkish citizen during a protest near Nablus (Shechem) in Samaria on Friday.
The fatality was named as Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, an activist with the anti-Israel International Solidarity Movement.
According to the military, during operations adjacent to the Palestinian town of Beita, soldiers opened fire at a “main instigator” who had “posed a threat” by throwing stones at them.
“A claim that a foreign citizen was killed by gunfire is being probed. The details of the incident and the circumstances of her being struck are under investigation,” the IDF added.
במהלך פעילות כוחות הביטחון סמוך לביתא היום, הכוח הגיב בירי לעבר מסית מרכזי שהשליך אבנים לעבר הכוחות, והיווה איום על כוחותינו.
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) September 6, 2024
נבדקת טענה כי אזרחית זרה נהרגה מירי במרחב, פרטי האירוע ונסיבות פגיעתה בבדיקה
“We deplore this tragic loss,” said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday, while offering his “deepest condolences” to Eygi’s family.
“First things first—let’s find out exactly what happened, and we will draw the necessary conclusions and consequences from that. When we have more info, we will share it, make it available and, as necessary, we’ll act on it,” he said.
Ankara described the incident as a “murder committed by the Netanyahu government,” with a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement adding: “Israel is trying to intimidate all those who come to the aid of the Palestinian people and who fight peacefully against the genocide. This policy of violence will not work.”
