US States Initial Probe into Killing of US Citizen Does Not Exonerate Israel

By Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON – The initial findings from Israel regarding the killing of U.S. citizen Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi do not absolve Israeli security forces, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. He indicated on Monday that Washington would consider alternative actions if it is dissatisfied with the outcomes of a comprehensive Israeli investigation.

Israel confirmed that its troops shot Eygi, a 26-year-old dual U.S.-Turkish citizen, on September 6 while she was participating in a protest against settlement expansion in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. However, they described the incident as unintentional and claimed it occurred during a demonstration that escalated into violence.

Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken characterized Eygi’s death as "unprovoked and unjustified," advocating for significant changes to Israeli military operations in the West Bank. During a press briefing on Monday, Miller reiterated that such an incident should never have occurred.

"I hear people … citing the initial findings as if they somehow cleared Israeli security forces of wrongdoing. They do not, in our view," Miller remarked.

The U.S. is awaiting the results of the full investigation, which it expects to be conducted promptly, thoroughly, and transparently. Miller stated that if these findings fall short of U.S. expectations, Washington may take its own measures, although he did not specify what those might entail.

"In the event the initial investigation concludes… and we are not satisfied, we will certainly consider whether other measures are warranted," he added.

The Israeli military announced that its commanders had undertaken an initial inquiry into the shooting, concluding that the fire was directed at another individual deemed "the key instigator of the riot" rather than Eygi.

Miller did not confirm if Israeli security forces had assured American officials of implementing the requested changes to their engagement rules.

Recent escalations in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank have raised concerns among Western allies, including the U.S., which has instituted sanctions against some settlers. Tensions have further intensified due to Israel’s ongoing military actions against Hamas militants in Gaza.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since the 1967 Middle East conflict, an area that Palestinians view as central to their aspirations for an independent state.