News Summary
Saif Musallet, a 20-year-old Palestinian-American, was killed by Israeli settlers in Sinjil, West Bank. The incident occurred following Friday prayers as he was heading to his farmland. Witnesses say he was specifically targeted and assaulted, with delays in medical response cited as a significant factor in his death. The Musallet family has called for a U.S. investigation into the killing amid escalating violence in the region, highlighting the ongoing tensions and dangers for Palestinians.
Sinjil, West Bank – Palestinian-American Saif Musallet Killed by Israeli Settlers Amid Increased Violence
Saif Musallet, a 20-year-old Palestinian-American, was fatally beaten by a group of Israeli settlers in the town of Sinjil, located in the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred shortly after he had participated in Friday prayers and was reportedly on his way to access his farmland. Musallet, who was just weeks away from celebrating his 21st birthday, had expressed intentions to marry while visiting his family in the region.
The incident unfolded when Musallet and other Palestinians drove to Sinjil to reach their land. Witnesses indicated that the settlers involved in the attack were armed with rocks, clubs, and guns, with Musallet specifically targeted and assaulted using sticks or clubs. His brother, who was attempting to reach him, called for immediate assistance, stating that Musallet was unconscious yet still had pulse, indicating a need for urgent medical help.
Despite calls for an ambulance, the response was significantly delayed, reportedly by at least two hours. Settlers in the area allegedly obstructed paramedics by damaging their vehicle and the Israeli military was said to have fired tear gas to disperse crowds, which further restricted access for the ambulance. By the time medical help arrived, Musallet was no longer breathing and had sustained severe injuries, with his face described as turning blue.
Kamel Musallet, Saif’s father, expressed deep frustration and grief, holding the Israeli military responsible for not intervening during the attack. The Israeli military announced that an investigation into Musallet’s death is underway, but they did not comment on the circumstances surrounding the delayed ambulance service.
The Musallet family has requested the U.S. government to conduct an investigation into their son’s killing. They believe that the response from the U.S. has been inadequate, mentioning that their only interaction so far was a basic condolence call.
Saif Musallet had been living in Florida, where he co-owned an ice cream shop with his father in Tampa. He was remembered by family and friends as a “gentle soul.” In his father’s view, there is a troubling disparity in how the U.S. government responds to violence against American-Palestinians compared to its responses involving American-Israelis.
Alongside Musallet’s death, another Palestinian man, Mohammed Rizq Hussein al-Shalabi, was reportedly killed that same day after being shot by settlers, leaving him bleeding on the ground for hours before receiving any medical assistance. This incident underscores the escalating violence in the region.
In Sinjil, there has been a notable increase in settler attacks, which Palestinian residents claim are part of a broader campaign to encroach further upon their lands. Since the escalation of armed conflict began on October 7, 2023, nearly 1,000 Palestinians have died due to actions taken by the Israeli military or settlers, according to United Nations reports.
The incident involving Saif Musallet and the rising violence in Sinjil highlights the ongoing tensions and marked deterioration of safety for Palestinians in the West Bank amid the broader conflict. Rights organizations have raised alarms regarding the growing incidences of settler violence while pointing to a systemic lack of accountability for such acts against Palestinian civilians.
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Additional Resources
- ABC News
- The Times of Israel
- WMTW
- BBC News
- Axios
- Wikipedia: Israel-Palestine Conflict
- Google Search: Israeli Settler Violence
- Google Scholar: Palestinian American Violence
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
- Google News: Palestinian American Killed
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