Occupied West Bank (Quds News Network)- A forensic report confirmed that the American-Turkish activist, Aysenur Ezgi, was killed by an Israeli sniper’s bullet during a non-violent protest against Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank. The fatal shot, aimed at her head, reported by Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ office in the occupied Palestinian territories, Israeli forces opened fire on the activist during the protest. The incident took place in the town of Beita, south of Nablus, during a demonstration against illegal settlement activities on Friday.
The 26-year-old activist was taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, where hospital director Fouad Nafeh confirmed her death due to a critical head injury. Medical teams attempted to resuscitate her, but her injuries proved fatal.
Ezgi was participating in a weekly protest near Mount Sabih in Beita, a focal point of non-violent resistance against Israeli settlement expansion. The Israeli military claimed that they are investigating the activist’s killing.
The US State Department said it was gathering more information on the circumstances. Similarly, US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew stated that the embassy is actively seeking details on the incident.
International Condemnations
The killing of Aysenur Ezgi has sparked widespread condemnation from various international entities, including Palestine, Turkey, and Qatar. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the incident as an execution by Israeli forces.
Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the killing, identifying Ezgi as a Turkish activist. The ministry accused the Israeli government of intimidating those who support the Palestinian cause. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described the incident as a “barbaric intervention” by Israeli forces against peaceful protesters.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the killing, describing it as an assassination by Israeli forces during a peaceful demonstration. Qatar called for stronger international action, arguing that global silence enables further Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people.
Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas placed full responsibility on Israel for the deaths of foreign activists on Palestinian soil. Speaking to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, Daghlas urged US President Joe Biden to address the fact that Israeli forces, armed with American weapons, are responsible for the deaths of American citizens, including Ezgi.
Mueen Shaban, head of the Palestinian Anti-Settlement Resistance Committee, issued a statement declaring that Israel’s actions are a clear message of threat to anyone standing in solidarity with Palestine.
Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, condemned the killing of Ezgi in the strongest terms. Hamas called the shooting an extension of Israel’s deliberate targeting of foreign activists, recalling the 2003 killing of American activist Rachel Corrie, who was crushed by an Israeli bulldozer.
Islamic Jihad called the shooting a war crime, accusing the US administration of complicity in Israeli actions by remaining silent on the issue. The movement said that Israel’s goal is to silence all voices supporting Palestinian freedom.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) similarly condemned the killing, noting that the incident was part of a long series of crimes against international activists. The PFLP warned that Israel’s actions represent a broader threat to humanity.
Source: qudsnen
