An 'American-Turkish' woman killed in 'anti-settlement' protests in the West Bank

An American-Turkish woman who participated in protests against the expansion of settlements in the West Bank was shot in the head and lost her life. Two doctors confirmed this news to the Associated Press on Friday, September 6. Dr. Ward Basalat, one of the doctors from a hospital in Nablus, stated that the 26-year-old woman was shot in the head and died after arriving at the hospital. Dr. Foad Nafa, the head of the Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, also confirmed the death of this American-Turkish citizen. He told Reuters that the woman was transferred to the hospital in a very critical condition with serious head injuries. The head of Rafidia Hospital in Nablus also mentioned that despite efforts to revive her, the woman lost her life. According to him, this incident occurred during a protest march by activists in Beita, a city near Nablus that has witnessed repeated attacks by settlers. The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the killing of this woman, stating, 'We are deeply saddened to learn that our citizen, Aisha Nour Ozgi, was killed by Israeli forces.' Witnesses and Palestinian media reported that the woman was shot by Israeli forces while participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration against the expansion of settlements in northern West Bank. Although the Israeli army has not commented on the shooting, they stated that they are investigating the matter. The U.S. embassy has also not yet reacted. The director of Rafidia Hospital in Nablus told AFP that the time of death for the American woman who was killed was 14:30 local time. According to the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, this deceased 'activist' had participated in a campaign called 'Faza' aimed at protecting farmers from the 'violence' of Jewish settlers. Protests against settlement expansion in the West Bank, which are held regularly, have often turned violent in the past. A month ago, Amadou Sison, another American citizen, was shot in the leg by Israeli forces while trying to escape tear gas and gunfire, but the Israeli army stated that he was injured accidentally. The increase in violent attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages in the West Bank has caused growing anger among Israel's Western allies, including the United States, leading to sanctions against several individuals. In the latest case, the head of the security unit of the Itamar settlement in the West Bank and another Israeli organization active in this occupied area were placed on the U.S. sanctions list. The European Union also announced in late April that it imposed sanctions on four individuals and two entities due to the violence of Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. Simultaneously, the U.S. announced it would sanction entities that have raised funds for settlers in the West Bank. Palestinians and human rights groups have always accused Israeli forces of indifference during attacks and even participation in these attacks. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, since the unprecedented Hamas attack, which is recognized as terrorist by Europe and the U.S., Israeli forces or settlers have killed at least 661 Palestinians in the West Bank. In contrast, Israeli officials have reported that during the same period, at least 23 Israelis, including security forces, have lost their lives in attacks by Palestinians in this area.