The United Nations is demanding a “full investigation” into the death of Aysenur Egzi Eygi, a Turkish-American activist who was recently killed in the West Bank during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the region.
Eygi, born in Turkey, was shot during a protest against the settlements, The Associated Pressreported.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, was asked about the death at a press conference on Friday.
The person noted in his question that Eygi, 26, “was shot in the head and killed by Israeli occupation forces in Nablus, West Bank. And as far as I know, that is not a war zone.”
“What is your reaction to this? Do you condemn it? And do you have an appeal for the (Israel Defense Forces), which has also taken responsibility for her death?” the reporter added, according to a transcript from the stock exchange.
“I had never heard of this case,” Dujarric replied. “I can tell you that of course we want to see a full investigation into the circumstances and people must be held accountable. And again, citizens must be protected at all times.”
The White House said in a statement following the news that the administration was “deeply shocked” by the deaths and also called for an investigation.
“We are deeply shocked by the tragic death of an American citizen, Aysenur Egzi Eygi, today in the West Bank and our thoughts are with her family and loved ones,” said Sean Savett, spokesman for the White House National Security Council. in a statement Friday. “We have contacted the Israeli government to request more information and an investigation into the incident.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has acknowledged targeting protesters in the past and said it is investigating the incident. The military group said it “responded with fire to a main instigator of violent activities who threw stones at troops and posed a threat to them.”
The Hill has contacted the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
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