Violence flared in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the deaths of two Palestinians. The incident, described as an attack by Israeli settlers, occurred Friday evening in the northern town of Sinjil. One of the victims held dual US citizenship. The Palestinian health ministry reported these fatalities. This tragic event highlights escalating tensions in the region, a trend significantly amplified since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023. International bodies and rights groups have increasingly voiced concerns over rising settler violence.
Tragic Deaths in Sinjil
The two young men killed were identified as Sayfollah Musallet and Mohammed al-Shalabi. Both were just 23 years old. Musallet was a dual US citizen from Florida. Al-Shalabi hailed from the nearby town of al-Mazraa al-Sharqiya.
According to reports from the Palestinian health ministry and the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, Sayfollah Musallet was fatally beaten. Mohammed al-Shalabi died after being shot in the chest. These accounts attribute the violence directly to Israeli settlers. Wafa also reported that ten other Palestinians from Sinjil and surrounding areas sustained injuries during these clashes. Settlers involved were reportedly armed with automatic rifles.
Family Alleges Brutal Beating, Blocked Aid
Sayfollah Musallet, known as Saif, was a businessman from Tampa. He had traveled to the West Bank on June 4 to visit family. A statement released by his family provided a harrowing account of his death. They alleged he was “brutally beaten to death by Israeli settlers.” This happened, they claimed, while he was trying to protect his family’s land. Settlers were allegedly attempting to steal it.
The family’s statement detailed further disturbing claims. It said Israeli settlers surrounded Saif for over three hours. During this time, paramedics tried to reach him. However, the statement alleged, the group of settlers blocked the ambulance and medical personnel. This action prevented them from providing potentially life-saving aid. After the crowd reportedly dispersed, Saif’s younger brother rushed to carry him. He was being taken to the ambulance. Sadly, Saif died before reaching the hospital.
The Musallet family issued a strong demand. They called for the US State Department to launch an immediate investigation. They also demanded that the Israeli settlers responsible for Saif’s death be held accountable.
Israeli Military Presents Different Account
The Israeli military offered a different perspective on the events in Sinjil. In a statement issued Friday night, the military said the violence began when “terrorists hurled rocks at Israeli civilians adjacent to Sinjil.” They reported that this rock-throwing lightly injured two Israeli civilians. Following this initial incident, the military stated, a “violent confrontation developed.” This confrontation involved both Palestinians and Israeli civilians.
The military’s statement detailed the nature of the confrontation. It included “vandalism of Palestinian property, arson, physical clashes, and rock hurling.” Security forces, including soldiers, police, and paramilitary Border Police, were dispatched to the area. The military reported using “riot dispersal means” to respond to the confrontation. They acknowledged being “aware of reports regarding a Palestinian civilian killed and a number of injured Palestinians.” These reports were being investigated by the Shin Bet security service and the Israel Police, the military added. When asked about the second reported Palestinian death on Saturday, the military said the situation was “under review.”
US Response and Broader Context of Rising Violence
The US State Department acknowledged awareness of reports regarding a US citizen’s death in the West Bank. They stated they had no further comment at the time. This was out of respect for the family’s privacy. The State Department has previously emphasized that the safety and security of US citizens abroad are a top priority.
The incident in Sinjil unfolds within a disturbing trend. Violence has surged in the West Bank. This increase was notable even before Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Since October 7, the United Nations reports a sharp rise in fatalities. At least 910 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank. Thirteen have been killed by Israeli settlers. Another seven died from actions by either forces or settlers. During the same period, Palestinian attacks in Israel and the West Bank have killed at least 44 Israelis.
Settler violence in the West Bank has escalated significantly in both number and severity since October 7. The UN has documented this rise. In May alone, the UN recorded 136 attacks by settlers resulting in casualties or damage to property. Further UN data indicates over 2,000 settler attacks against Palestinians and their property have been documented since January 2024. This year, settlers have reportedly injured at least 350 Palestinians. In the first week of July 2025, UN monitors recorded at least 27 settler attacks causing casualties or property damage.
Settlements Under Scrutiny
The presence and expansion of Israeli settlements are a core issue in the West Bank. Israel has constructed approximately 160 settlements. These settlements house some 700,000 Jewish settlers. This construction has occurred since Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek this land, along with Gaza, for a future independent state. An estimated 3.3 million Palestinians currently live alongside the settlers in the West Bank.
Under international law, these settlements are considered illegal. This position is supported by an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last year. Israel, however, disputes this legal classification.
The US has recently condemned settler violence in other West Bank locations. The US embassy in Jerusalem specifically criticized recent attacks by Israeli settlers against the Christian town of Taybeh. Most land there is owned by Palestinian-Americans. Locals report some 300 residents hold US passports. Attacks in Taybeh have ramped up. These include masked men torching cars and attacking homes. Settlers recently set fields ablaze near a fifth-century church. This led to a call for international action from the town’s priests.
Another recent violent incident occurred separately on Thursday. A 22-year-old Israeli security guard, Shalev Zvuluny, was killed. Two Palestinian men opened fire and attempted stabbings in a shopping centre car park. This happened in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc in the southern West Bank. Police reported that soldiers and armed civilians present at the scene shot and killed the attackers.
Accountability Concerns and Political Context
The killing of a US citizen in this latest incident has drawn attention to accountability. Advocacy groups have strongly reacted. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) urged Washington to ensure accountability. A CAIR deputy director argued that a lack of US accountability for previous killings emboldens further violence against American Palestinians and others. CAIR criticized the current US administration. They suggested it operates with an “Israel First” policy if it fails to protect American citizens. The Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) also called for action. They stated settlers are “lynching Palestinians more frequently.” IMEU accused the Israeli army and government of supporting this trend. They also accused the US government of funding and backing this violence instead of stopping it.
Hamas, the Palestinian group, condemned Musallet’s killing as “barbaric.” They called on Palestinians in the West Bank to confront settlers. Allegations persist that the Israeli military often provides protection for settlers during attacks on Palestinian communities. Israeli military investigations into such incidents frequently conclude without criminal charges or accountability for settlers or officers involved. This incident marks at least the seventh American citizen killed in the West Bank, Gaza, or Lebanon since October 7, 2023. Six of these deaths were reportedly caused by Israeli forces.
Recent US political decisions also provide context. The Trump administration, which took office earlier in 2025, reportedly revoked sanctions on violent settlers. These sanctions had been imposed by the previous Biden administration. This revocation is seen by some critics as potentially contributing to the increase in settler-led violence.
The intensification of settler and military violence in the West Bank is occurring alongside Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. That campaign has resulted in a high death toll. Rights groups have described it as possibly constituting genocide. The incident in Sinjil underscores the complex and dangerous reality facing Palestinians in the occupied territories amidst this wider conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
What reportedly happened in Sinjil leading to the Palestinian deaths?
According to the Palestinian health ministry and family accounts, Israeli settlers attacked the town of Sinjil. One man, Sayfollah Musallet, was allegedly brutally beaten while defending land and later died after paramedics were reportedly blocked from reaching him. Another man, Mohammed al-Shalabi, was allegedly shot. The Israeli military claims the incident began with Palestinians throwing rocks at Israelis, leading to a violent confrontation involving various forms of damage and clashes, and they are investigating reports of a death and injuries.
Where can I find reliable data on the increase in West Bank settler violence?
Reliable data on West Bank settler violence is often reported by international bodies and human rights groups. The United Nations humanitarian office (OCHA) is a key source. They track and report on incidents involving settler attacks resulting in casualties or property damage. Their reports indicate a significant increase in both the number and severity of such attacks, particularly since October 2023. Specific figures from UN sources were cited in this article, including data on attacks in May 2025 and since January 2024.
Is the US government investigating the death of the American citizen in the West Bank?
The US State Department has confirmed they are aware of reports regarding the death of a US citizen in the West Bank. At this time, they have not publicly detailed whether a specific investigation has been launched or is underway, citing respect for the family’s privacy. The family of Sayfollah Musallet has explicitly demanded that the US State Department lead an immediate investigation into his death.
Conclusion
The deaths of Sayfollah Musallet and Mohammed al-Shalabi in Sinjil highlight the severe and ongoing violence in the occupied West Bank. Conflicting accounts of the event underscore the challenges in establishing clear narratives. The killing of a dual US citizen adds another layer of complexity. It brings the issue of accountability and protection for Americans in the region into sharp focus. This incident occurs amid a documented surge in settler attacks. These events are deeply rooted in the context of Israeli settlements, international law, and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, exacerbated by the recent war in Gaza. Calls for thorough investigations and accountability for those responsible continue.
