Palestinian-American beaten to death by Israeli settlers in occupied West Bank, another man shot dead, health ministry says

A 20-year-old Palestinian-American man was killed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian officials and an eyewitness. The incident adds to a growing wave of settler violence against Palestinians in the region.

Sayfollah Musallet, born in Tampa, Florida, was beaten to death in Sinjel, a town north of Ramallah. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported the fatal assault on Friday, saying settlers “severely beat” Musallet “all over his body.”

The Sinjel municipality described the incident as a “barbaric attack,” part of what it called “daily assaults” by settlers on the town’s residents. Local officials also accused Israeli forces of arriving alongside the settlers and blocking the efforts of paramedics.

A family friend who witnessed the attack told CNN he was with Musallet during the assault and later rushed him to a hospital in Ramallah. The friend confirmed that Musallet was a U.S. citizen.

Musallet had traveled to the West Bank on June 4 to visit relatives and friends. He owned a business in Tampa, according to a family statement shared with media outlets.

“We are devastated that our beloved Sayfollah Musallet (nicknamed Saif) was brutally beaten to death by Israeli settlers while he was protecting his family’s land from settlers who were attempting to steal it,” the statement read. “We demand justice.”

The family has called on the U.S. State Department to lead an independent investigation into the killing. The department confirmed it is aware of the reports but did not release a name.

“Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment,” a State Department spokesperson said.

The Israeli military acknowledged the incident, stating it is “aware of reports regarding a Palestinian civilian killed and a number of injured Palestinians as a result of the confrontation.” Investigations are underway by the Israeli Security Agency and Israel Police, the statement added.

A second Palestinian man also died in the attack. He was shot in the chest, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. Ten others were injured in the same incident.

The Sinjel municipality posted a video on social media showing the aftermath of the violence. In the footage, an ambulance appears with its windshield and rear window shattered. CNN verified the location as near Sinjel.

Local officials say settlers attacked the ambulance while paramedics worked to evacuate the wounded.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack. It called for immediate international action to hold the perpetrators accountable and to stop Israel’s settlement expansion.

“Settler violence is escalating,” the ministry said in a statement. “This is a direct result of unchecked settlement activity and the failure of the international community to intervene.”

The killing of Musallet follows a series of violent incidents involving American citizens in the West Bank. In April, Israeli forces shot and killed a 14-year-old boy during what they described as a “counterterrorism operation.” In September 2024, soldiers shot dead a 26-year-old woman who was protesting an Israeli settlement.

Israel has intensified military operations in the West Bank in recent months. Entire communities have been displaced. Thousands of Palestinians have lost their homes. Israeli officials claim these operations target militant groups.

Human rights organizations have raised alarm over the growing number of civilian casualties. They have urged foreign governments to scrutinize Israel’s use of force in occupied territories.

As settler violence continues, the death of Sayfollah Musallet underscores the risks faced by Palestinians even those holding foreign citizenship.

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