Palestinian-American man killed in West Bank, family blames Israeli settlers

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7 hours ago

A 20-year-old Palestinian-American man, Sayfollah 'Saif' Musallet, has been killed by Israeli settlers while visiting family in the occupied West Bank, according to a report. His death comes amid rising violence in the region. read more
A 20-year-old Palestinian-American, Sayfollah 'Saif' Musallet, was killed by Israeli settlers while visiting family in the occupied West Bank, The Guardian reported citing family of the deceased .
Musallet was reportedly beaten while at his family's farm near Ramallah. His family claims settlers blocked ambulances from reaching him for three hours. He died from his injuries before reaching hospital.
'I was the first one to reach Saif,' said his 22-year-old friend Mohammed Nael Hijaz. 'He was barely breathing, but there was still time to save him.'
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Another Palestinian man, 23-year-old Razek Hussein al-Shalabi, was fatally shot during the same attack and left to bleed to death, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The families plan to hold a joint funeral for both men on Sunday.
The killings come amid a rise in Israeli settler violence in the West Bank. Since Hamas's deadly attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed and at least 9,000 injured.
The Israeli military said stones were thrown at Israelis, which led to 'a violent confrontation'. It acknowledged reports of a Palestinian civilian death and said it was investigating.
A US State Department spokesperson confirmed awareness of a US citizen's death in the West Bank and said consular services were being offered, but declined further comment, citing privacy concerns.
Musallet's family has called on the US government to investigate the killing and hold those responsible accountable. Witnesses claim Israeli soldiers were present during the attack.
Saif Musallet, who was born and raised in Florida, had recently opened an ice cream shop in Tampa with his father. He had travelled to the West Bank in early June to visit family.
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'He was a sweet guy, full of dreams,' said Hijaz, mourning his friend's death.
In a statement, Musallet's family described him as 'a brother and a son, just starting the prime of his life… kind, hardworking, and respected. He was generous, ambitious, and deeply connected to his Palestinian roots.'
The attack occurred on the family's farm in Baten al-Hawa, near Jerusalem. The area is classified as Area B — under Palestinian Authority administration but Israeli military security control.
Just a week before, settlers in the same area attacked two German journalists from DW, throwing rocks at them despite their clearly marked press vests. Their car was badly damaged. The German ambassador condemned the attack, and the Israeli military said it would investigate.
Three Palestinian-Americans have been killed in the West Bank since 7 October. No one has been held accountable so far.