Israeli army: ‘Highly likely’ sniper ‘indirectly and unintentionally’ killed American citizen Aysenur Ezgi

Occupied West Bank (Quds News Network)- An Israeli military inquiry has concluded that it is “highly likely” that Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, an American human rights activist, was “unintentionally” hit by Israeli fire during a peaceful protest against Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank. The inquiry claims the bullet that killed her was aimed at a “key instigator of the riot,” not directly at her.

A forensic report had confirmed that Aysenur Ezgi, 26, was killed by an Israeli sniper’s bullet during the protest near Mount Sabih in Beita, south of Nablus. The shot, aimed at her head, proved fatal. Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas, along with medical teams at Rafidia Hospital, confirmed her death following attempts to save her life. She was pronounced dead due to a critical head injury. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the Israeli sniper deliberately targeted Eygi, stating there were no confrontations at the time.

The protest, which Eygi was attending, was part of the regular non-violent demonstrations held in Beita against the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements. Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on the protestors, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ office in the occupied Palestinian territories noting that Israeli soldiers fired on the activist as she stood in solidarity with Palestinian farmers.

Aysenur’s family has called for an independent investigation into her death, expressing deep grief and shock over the loss. In a heartfelt statement, they described Aysenur as a passionate advocate for human rights who had recently graduated from the University of Washington, where she studied Psychology and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures. Known for her activism, Aysenur participated in numerous student-led protests calling for justice and the end of the Israeli occupation.

“Aysenur was strong, beautiful, and nourishing, much like the olive tree under which she took her last breaths. Her presence was taken needlessly, unlawfully, and violently by the Israeli military,” the family said. They emphasized that she had been peacefully standing for justice when she was shot.