US Citizen Dies Following Israeli Settler Assault in the West Bank, Family Confirms
The family of Khamis Ayyad, a United States citizen who tragically lost his life in a settler attack in the occupied West Bank, is urging the Biden administration to initiate an independent investigation into the incident. Ayyad, a 40-year-old father of five formerly residing in Chicago, was confirmed by relatives as an American citizen following his death in Silwad, a town situated north of Ramallah, on Thursday.
Ayyad’s death marks the second incident involving a U.S. citizen in the West Bank within July, with an earlier fatality involving 20-year-old Sayfollah Musallet in nearby Sinjil. At a press conference alongside Ayyad’s family, William Asfour, the operations coordinator for the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), condemned the act as a “murder” and called for accountability from the U.S. Department of Justice, emphasizing the importance of protecting American citizens abroad.
According to reports from family members, Ayyad was awakened early Thursday morning by settlers who had set fire to vehicles outside his home. In an attempt to extinguish the flames, Ayyad encountered Israeli military personnel who allegedly discharged tear gas in his direction. His family contends that he succumbed to inhalation of the gas and smoke from the burning vehicles.
The escalation of settler attacks against Palestinian communities has reached alarming levels, particularly in the wake of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Within this context, settler violence has been described by various U.S. officials as tantamount to terrorism, resulting in rampant destruction of property and escalating tensions in the region.
Recent political developments in Israel further complicate the situation, with legislators recently endorsing a non-binding motion to annex parts of the West Bank while simultaneously increasing military operations that often result in loss of life and displacement among Palestinian communities.
Asfour highlighted that Ayyad’s killing is part of a broader pattern, with at least ten U.S. citizens having died at the hands of Israeli forces and settlers since 2022, yet none of these cases have seen criminal charges filed. This prompts a growing demand from community leaders for increased action and accountability.
Ayyad’s death coincides with the ongoing detention of Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old U.S. citizen, who remains imprisoned without trial, prompting further scrutiny on Israel’s treatment of minors in custody.
Illinois State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid described Ayyad’s death as indicative of a “pattern of settler colonial violence.” Rashid has called for the repeal of Illinois legislation that penalizes firms participating in boycotts of Israeli entities, framing it as an obstacle in addressing the injustices faced by Palestinian communities.
As the international community continues to monitor the situation, calls for justice and accountability resonate deeply among advocates for human rights and the protection of all communities in the region.
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