American killed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, family says

[ad_1] A 20-year-old American from Florida was allegedly overwhelmed to demise by Israeli settlers whereas visiting his household within the West Financial institution, based on Palestinian well being officers and his household.

Sayfollah "Saif" Musallet was killed within the city of Sinjil, north of Ramallah, based on the Palestinian Well being Ministry within the West Financial institution.

A second man was additionally shot lifeless within the assaults, based on the well being ministry.

Musallet was attempting to guard his household's land from Israeli settlers, who surrounded him for over three hours, blocking the ambulance from reaching him, based on his household. He died earlier than making it to the hospital, they mentioned.

On this undated photograph, Saif Musallet is proven.

Musallet Household

He's the fifth American killed within the West Financial institution for the reason that conflict between Israel and Hamas started on Oct. 7, 2023, when 1,200 Israelis had been killed in a Hamas-led terrorist assault on southern Israel.

Musallet was born in Florida, lived in Tampa, and ran a enterprise there, based on his household. He had traveled to the West Financial institution on June 4, they mentioned.

"He was a form, hard-working, and deeply-respected younger man, working to construct his goals. Saif constructed a profitable enterprise in Tampa and was recognized for his generosity, ambition, and connection to his Palestinian heritage," his household mentioned in a press release.

A bit of a fence constructed by Israeli forces is seen surrounding the West Financial institution village of Sinjil, July 9, 2025.

Leo Correa/AP

The Israel Protection Forces mentioned it was "conscious of studies relating to a Palestinian civilian killed and quite a few injured Palestinians on account of the confrontation, and they're being appeared into by the ISA and Israel Police."

The IDF mentioned rocks had been thrown at Israeli settlers adjoining to Sinjil, inflicting mild accidents.

"Shortly after, a violent confrontation developed within the space involving Palestinians and Israeli civilians, which included vandalism of Palestinian property, arson, bodily clashes, and rock hurling," the IDF mentioned.

An Israeli settlers outpost is seen on space subsequent to the West Financial institution village of Sinjil , July 9, 2025.

Leo Correa/AP

Musallet's household is demanding "the U.S. State Division lead a direct investigation and maintain the Israeli settlers who killed Musallet accountable for his or her crimes."

"That is an unimaginable nightmare and injustice that no household ought to ever must face," the household mentioned in a press release.

The household mentioned they demand "justice."

Concrete blocks positioned by Israeli troopers after October 7, 2023, based on native residents, are seen at one of many entrances of the village, impeding entry for Palestinians within the West Financial institution village of Sinjil, July 9, 2025.

Leo Correa/AP

"We're devastated that our beloved Sayfollah Musallet (nicknamed Saif) was brutally overwhelmed to demise by Israeli settlers whereas he was defending his household’s land from settlers who had been trying to steal it," his household mentioned.

A State Division spokesperson mentioned they might affirm the demise of a U.S. citizen within the West Financial institution on July 11, however that the division had no additional remark "out of respect for the privateness of the household and family members" of the reported sufferer.

"The U.S. Division of State has no greater precedence than the security and safety of U.S. residents abroad," the division mentioned.

4 different Individuals have been killed within the West Financial institution since Oct. 7, 2023. Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, 17, was killed on Jan. 19, 2024; Mohammad Alkhdour, 17, was killed on Feb. 10, 2024; Aysenur Eygi, 26, was killed on Sept. 6, 2024; and Amer Rabee, 14, was killed on April 6, 2025.