Israeli settlers killed 20-year-old Palestinian-American, Sayfollah “Saif” Musallet, while he was visiting relatives on his family’s farm near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. According to his family, settlers beat Musallet, and ambulances were blocked from reaching him for three hours, causing his death from injuries before he could be hospitalized.

Musallet’s friend, Mohammed Nael Hijaz, who was the first to reach him, described him as unresponsive and barely breathing. Another man, 23-year-old Razek Hussein al-Shalabi, was also fatally shot during the attack and left to bleed out, as reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Settler attacks are escalating across the occupied West Bank as part of the Israeli occupation’s ongoing efforts to occupy more Palestinian territory. These incursions are taking place under direct military protection and with full political backing from the Israeli government, according to rights groups and local sources.

Israeli soldiers present during aggression

The Israeli military claimed that stones were thrown at Israelis and that a violent confrontation ensued, alleging it was investigating the incident. Both men will be buried together in a funeral on Sunday.

The family has since demanded a full investigation by the US State Department into the killings and urged accountability for the Israeli settlers responsible for Saif’s death. Witnesses to the incident revealed that Israeli soldiers were present during the confrontation.

A spokesperson for the US Department of State confirmed awareness of reports regarding the death of a US citizen in the West Bank, stating that they were "ready to provide consular services," without further comments. 

Not a first

Since October 7, three Palestinian-American teenagers have been killed in the West Bank, but "Israel" has not been held accountable for their deaths. 

Musallet, who was born and raised in Florida, had recently opened an ice cream shop in Tampa with his father. He had traveled to the West Bank in early June to visit relatives.

“He was a very sweet guy, full of hopes and dreams,” said Mohammed Nael Hijaz, who expressed deep sorrow over the inability to save his friend.

Musallet was attacked on his family’s farm in Baten al-Hawa, a town near occupied al-Quds, located in Area B. This area is under the administrative control of the Palestinian Authority but remains under Israeli military security control.

A week prior, settlers had also attacked two journalists working for DW, a German broadcaster, in the same area. Despite the journalists wearing clearly marked press jackets, the settlers threw rocks at them, causing severe damage to their car. The German ambassador to "Israel" condemned the attack, and the Israeli military promised to investigate the incident.

Inert, complicit Israeli soldiers

Rights groups have repeatedly accused the Israeli military of either standing by or actively assisting settlers as they raid Palestinian villages, vandalize property, and assault residents. 

Just two weeks ago, over 100 settlers stormed the village of Kafr Malek near Ramallah, killing three men and injuring several others.

“The settlers want to take over our land,” Hijaz explained. “Their aggression is increasing by the day. The Israeli army comes to protect them and don’t do anything to stop them from attacking us. No one can hold the settlers accountable.”