A US citizen, Khamis Ayyad, 40, has been killed in a settler attack in the occupied West Bank, prompting his family to call for an investigation by the Trump administration. Ayyad, a father of five and former Chicago resident, was found dead at his home in Silwad, north of Ramallah, on Thursday. According to relatives, settlers torched cars outside Ayyad’s home before the Israeli army arrived and fired tear gas at him.
Ayyad’s family is demanding accountability for his killing, which they believe was caused by inhaling tear gas and smoke from burning vehicles. The incident is the second US citizen killed in the West Bank this month, following the murder of 20-year-old Sayfollah Musallet in Sinjil.
Settler attacks against Palestinian communities have been escalating in recent months, with the Israeli military providing protection to settlers who are often armed and fire at will against Palestinians. The Trump administration has resisted calls for an investigation into Israel’s abuses against American citizens, citing that Israeli authorities are best equipped to investigate their own forces.
Since 2022, at least 10 US citizens have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers without facing criminal charges. The family of the latest victim is calling on the US government to take action to protect its citizens abroad and ensure justice in the case.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/1/another-us-citizen-killed-by-israeli-settler-attack-in-west-bank-family