Fatal Clashes in West Bank Result in Deaths of Two Palestinians

A 20-year-old Palestinian-American man was reportedly beaten to death by Israeli settlers during a violent encounter in the West Bank, while another Palestinian was fatally shot, according to Palestinian officials and family members.

The Israeli military neither confirmed nor denied the fatalities but acknowledged that a confrontation took place on Friday between Palestinians and Israeli civilians near the town of Sinjil, where the deaths occurred. The domestic intelligence agency and police are currently investigating the events.

The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem verified the death of the American citizen, identifying him as Sayfollah Musallet, but did not provide details about the circumstances surrounding his death. U.S. authorities have requested further information from Israeli officials.

Musallet, originally from Florida, had recently returned to the West Bank to visit relatives, according to his cousin, Diana Halum, who resides in the nearby Palestinian town of Mazraa al-Sharqiya.

Palestinian health sources reported that Mohammad Shalabi, 23, was shot during the clashes. It remains unclear whether the fatal shot was fired by armed settlers or Israeli security forces present at the scene.

Since the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, violence in the West Bank has surged. The region, under Israeli military control, is home to approximately 2.7 million Palestinians living alongside around 500,000 Israeli settlers.