U.S. Citizen Dies in West Bank Incident

A tragic event took place on Thursday in the West Bank, where a U.S. citizen lost his life, as confirmed by the U.S. State Department.

Khamis Abdul Latif Ayyad, 41, reportedly died from smoke inhalation after a fire was set by Israeli settlers late at night, targeting vehicles and homes in his village. Reports from the Miami Herald and a Palestinian news outlet provided details on the incident.

Ayyad’s family claimed that the fire was ignited during an assault by settlers who invaded Silwad, a village situated close to several Israeli settlements. This violence involved the burning of cars and residences.

A spokesperson from the State Department expressed condolences to Ayyad’s family and denounced the violence occurring in the West Bank, stating, “We can confirm the death of a US citizen in the town of Silwad. We are expressing our sadness to our families about the loss and providing consulate assistance.”

His funeral is set for Friday, and the family is awaiting an autopsy to determine the official cause of death, according to the reports.

This incident marks the second death of a U.S. citizen in the West Bank, following Sayfollah Musallet, a 20-year-old Palestinian-American, who died on July 11 amid violent clashes in the area. His death followed a disturbance that began when individuals reportedly threw rocks, leading to a confrontation with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Musallet was left without medical attention for two hours, as settlers impeded emergency responders.

Ayyad was originally from Silwad, where he grew up, but relocated to the United States with his wife in 2008. He returned to the West Bank with his family at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Described by his brother as a dedicated family man, Ayyad was well-liked in his community. “He was loved by everyone. He caused no problems at all,” his brother shared.

Ayyad is survived by his wife and their five children, who range in age from 6 to 15.