IDF says ‘indirect and unintended’ fire likely killed American woman in West Bank, expresses regret

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

This undated family photo provided by the International Solidarity Movement on September 6, 2024, shows Aysenur Ezgi Eygi of Seattle. (Courtesy of the Eygi family/International Solidarity Movement via AP)
This undated family photo provided by the International Solidarity Movement on September 6, 2024, shows Aysenur Ezgi Eygi of Seattle. (Courtesy of the Eygi family/International Solidarity Movement via AP)

The military says it has completed an initial probe into the killing of an American woman in the West Bank on Friday, and has found that she was likely mistakenly hit by troops’ gunfire.

The probe, carried out by commanders, has found that Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, was “with high probability” killed as a result of “indirect and unintended IDF fire, which was aimed at a main instigator” during a riot.

“The incident occurred during a violent gathering of dozens of Palestinian suspects, who burned tires and threw stones at forces at the Beita Junction,” the IDF says.

Eygi, an American originally from Turkey, was an activist with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).

A Military Police investigation has also been launched into the deadly incident, the findings of which will be submitted to the Military Advocate General for review.

The IDF says Israeli officials have submitted a request to carry out an autopsy.

“The IDF expresses its deepest regret over the death of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi,” the military adds.

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