Senators demand US probe after ninth American killed in West Bank
Mar 5th 2026
More than 30 senators want a US investigation and a status report after a 19 year old American was shot in the West Bank, the ninth US citizen killed by Israeli soldiers or settlers since 2022.
- Thirty one senators led by Chris Van Hollen asked the administration for an independent US-led investigation and a full accounting of nine US deaths, and requested a congressional briefing by April 5.
- The letter was addressed to the US secretary of state, the attorney general and the US ambassador to Israel and was shared with the Guardian.
- Nasrallah Abu Siyam, 19 and born in Philadelphia, was shot on February 18 in the West Bank village of Mukhmas during an attack by masked settlers while Israeli soldiers were reportedly present and did not intervene.
- The State Department confirmed the death, urged a full and transparent investigation and said it has been in contact with the family, while the Justice Department declined to comment.
- Senators say none of the nine US deaths since 2022 have led to criminal convictions and blame a rise in settler violence after the administration revoked Biden era sanctions on settlers for contributing to the spike in incidents.