The U.S. State Department said Friday it is aware of the reported death of a U.S. citizen in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Saif al-Din Kamel Abdul Karim Musallat, a Palestinian American from Tampa, Florida, was allegedly beaten to death by Israeli settlers in Sinjil, a town north of Ramallah, according to Palestinian news agency WAFA and the Washington Post.
WAFA, citing the local health ministry, reported that Musallat, in his 20s, died from injuries sustained in a violent settler attack that also left several others wounded. The Israeli military acknowledged an investigation is underway and confirmed that "a violent confrontation" broke out following reports of rocks being thrown at Israelis near Sinjil.
Tensions in the West Bank have escalated significantly since Israel’s war in Gaza began in late 2023. The U.N. and human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned Israeli settlement expansion and settler violence in occupied Palestinian territories, calling such actions illegal under international law.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 57,000 Palestinians have died amid Israel's military offensive, which has triggered accusations of genocide and war crimes at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Israel denies these allegations, citing self-defense after the October 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people.
The incident adds to a growing list of Palestinian Americans killed in the West Bank in recent years, including journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, teenager Omar Mohammad Rabea, and activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi. The U.N.'s top court has declared Israel’s occupation and settlements illegal, urging their withdrawal.
The U.S. government has not released further information out of respect for the victim’s family. The situation remains under investigation.