Another US citizen killed by Israeli settler attack in West Bank
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The family of Khamis Ayyad, a US citizen killed in Silwad, is calling on Washington to investigate the deadly settler attack.
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Palestinian-American Khamis Ayyad with his daughter in an undated photograph (Social media)
The family of a United States citizen killed in a settler attack in the occupied West Bank is urging the administration of US President Donald Trump to launch an independent investigation into the incident.
Relatives of Khamis Ayyad, a 40-year-old man who was killed in the town of Silwad, north of Ramallah, on Thursday, revealed on Friday that he held US citizenship and demanded accountability for his death, urging authorities to ensure justice is served in the case.
Mahmoud Issa, the cousin of the martyr Khamis Ayyad, recounted that settlers set fire to cars outside Ayyad's home around dawn on Thursday, prompting Ayyad to wake up and attempt to extinguish the flames, only for the Israeli army to arrive at the scene and begin firing tear gas in his direction.
According to the family, Ayyad was killed by exposure to tear gas and smoke inhalation from the burning cars.
Ayyad is the second US citizen killed by an Israeli settler attack in one month. On July 12, 20-year-old Palestinian-American, Sayfollah "Saif" Musallet, was killed by Israeli settlers while visiting relatives at his family's farm near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
Musallet's family stated that settlers violently assaulted him, while emergency responders were prevented from accessing him for three hours, leading to his death from untreated injuries before medical care could be provided.
If not killed, then detained
The family of Muhammad Zaher Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian-American, is urging his immediate release from Israeli military detention. Ibrahim was detained in February while still 15 years old at his family’s home in the occupied West Bank village of Silwad. According to relatives, he was blindfolded and handcuffed before being transferred to Megiddo prison. He remains in pre-trial detention, accused of rock-throwing, an allegation his family denies.
The Ibrahim family, who divide their time between Silwad and Palm Bay, Florida, sought assistance from Republican Congressman Mike Haridopolos. Zaher Ibrahim, Muhammad’s father, wrote to the congressman in March after more than 45 days of no contact with his son. Describing the conditions at Megiddo as notorious for brutality, the family has exhausted all local legal options and turned to US authorities for support.
Haridopolos’s office acknowledged the outreach and forwarded the case to the State Department. The US embassy in "Israel" confirmed it was following standard procedures. A State Department spokesperson emphasized that ensuring the safety and security of US citizens is a top priority.
Human rights concerns
Human rights organizations have raised alarms over the treatment of Muhammad Zaher Ibrahim and others like him. A video seen by The Guardian shows Ibrahim being interrogated without legal counsel. Advocates argue that his US citizenship has provided little protection in a system known for detaining minors for extended periods without charges or family contact.
Ayed Abu Eqtaish from Defense for Children International-Palestine told The Guardian that Palestinian children in Israeli prisons are often isolated from the outside world, regardless of their nationality.
US government response
While US embassy officials have conducted welfare checks, their access has been increasingly restricted. Early reports from the embassy noted that Muhammad had lost 12 kilograms. In July, he was diagnosed with scabies, a contagious skin condition. The state department reported he was receiving medical treatment, but it remains unclear whether recent visits have occurred.
The department affirmed it provides consular support to detained US citizens, including ensuring access to necessary medical care and facilitating communication with families.
Targeting of Palestinian Americans
Since 2022, nine Americans have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers, including five since October 2023. Among the most recent cases is Sayfollah Musallet, the cousin of Muhammad Ibrahim, a 20-year-old from Tampa, Florida, beaten to death by settlers in July 2025. Others include Mohammad Khdour, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, Amer Rabee, and Omar Assad, a 78-year-old who died after being gagged and handcuffed by Israeli soldiers.
Multiple Palestinian Americans have also been detained or subjected to travel restrictions and surveillance. In February 2024, American citizens Hashem and Borak Alagha were detained during a raid on their family shelter in Gaza. Samaher Esmail, a 46-year-old from New Orleans, was arrested in Beit Lahm for alleged incitement on social media. Families report minimal assistance from US authorities.
'Israel' continues its crackdown on the West Bank
This comes as "Israel" continues to escalate its violence against the West Bank, with the Israeli occupation forces launching repeated incursions and mass arrest campaigns while Israeli settlers up their attacks on Palestinian villages.
Israeli forces intensified repression across occupied al-Quds on August 1, arresting more than 60 Palestinians, including eight children and two women, as part of what monitoring groups describe as systematic efforts to consolidate control over the city.
Local monitoring groups report that Israeli occupation courts issued 11 administrative detention orders and imposed 18 prison sentences during the past month. Particularly severe punishments were handed out, such as 10-year terms for young men Anas Abu Zneid and Ashham al-Umleh, while 17-year-old Abdullah Abu Diab was sentenced to four years in prison.
The Israeli occupation authorities additionally enforced three house arrest orders and nine deportation rulings, seven of which included bans prohibiting individuals from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The measures specifically targeted prominent religious figures, including the Grand Mufti of al-Quds, along with multiple mosque guards, reflecting what Palestinian officials characterize as a systematic campaign to weaken religious institutions and discourage collective resistance at the holy site.
Israeli occupation forces escalated military raids and arrest operations throughout the occupied West Bank, detaining at least 30 Palestinians during overnight operations between July 28 and 29.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Society and Detainees Affairs Commission reported that Israeli forces focused arrests on al-Fawwar refugee camp in al-Khalil, while also conducting raids and interrogations in Ramallah, Beit Lahm, Nablus, Tubas, Salfit, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya.
