Israeli Military Admits Likely Responsibility for Protester's Death

The Israeli military acknowledged that their troops were likely responsible for the accidental shooting of 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi during a protest in the West Bank. U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken condemned the act as 'unprovoked and unjustified.' An investigation is ongoing, and calls for changes in engagement rules have increased.

The Israeli military has announced that it was highly probable its personnel fired the fatal shot that killed 26-year-old American-Turkish woman Aysenur Ezgi Eygi during a protest in the West Bank last week. The military expressed deep regret for the incident, which it termed unintentional.

U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken described the killing as 'unprovoked and unjustified,' urging Israeli security forces to revise their engagement rules. Turkish and Palestinian authorities reported that Israeli troops shot Eygi as she participated in a protest march against settlement expansion in Beita, near Nablus.

An internal investigation by Israeli Defence Forces commanders revealed that Eygi was hit indirectly by IDF fire aimed at a different target during a violent riot where Palestinian protesters burned tires and threw rocks. The IDF has requested an autopsy from Palestinian authorities, while U.S. officials called for a full inquiry and are awaiting Israel's findings before making further judgments.

(With inputs from agencies.)