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State Department says Israel has been asked to investigate death of U.S. citizen in West Bank
Summary
The spokesperson confirmed the U.S. has been following the case of Khamis Ayad, a Palestinian who died after smoke inhalation in the West Bank and confirmed as a U.S. citizen, and said the U.S. has called on Israel to investigate and that investigations are underway by local authorities.
The State Department confirmed it is following the death of Khamis Ayad, identified in reporting as a Palestinian who died of smoke inhalation after trying to extinguish a fire allegedly started by settlers in the West Bank, and that Ayad was a U.S. citizen. The spokesperson said the department has called on Israel to investigate the incident and that it expects local investigations to proceed.
At the briefing the spokesperson said such deaths abroad “are the foreign country's prerogative” and that the department has asked Israeli authorities to investigate. She added that matters that involve criminal investigations may involve the Department of Homeland Security or the FBI once local probes are complete and that the U.S. will follow developments and keep reporters updated.
Discussion only: the podium reiterated the U.S. interest in the safety of Americans abroad and said it was monitoring the situation; no further actions were announced.
The spokesperson said there remain “a great deal we still don't know” about the circumstances and that the department will continue to monitor investigations and report back as results become available.
