US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has offered his “deepest condolences” for two American teenagers who were allegedly murdered in the West Bank and has called for an investigation into their deaths. CNN previously reported that Israeli forces had reportedly killed two 17-year-old Palestinian Americans in the West Bank in less than a month.
“We have made it clear that with respect to the incidents that you have alluded to, there needs to be an investigation. We need to know the facts. And if appropriate, there needs to be accountability,” Blinken said at a news conference in Albania.
In addition to the alleged murders, an American woman was taken from her home in the West Bank and detained more than a week ago by Israeli forces. Her family alleges that she was beaten and denied medication while she was in custody. Two other Americans were also detained by Israeli forces during a raid on a home in Gaza last week.
Blinken emphasized the need for detainees to be treated fairly, with due process and with humanity, regardless of where they may be detained.
The US State Department recently confirmed the death of an American in the West Bank without providing a name or the circumstances of the death. However, the group “Defense for Children – Palestine” identified the victim as 17-year-old Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour who was shot by Israeli forces while traveling by car in the West Bank town of Biddu.
Last month, another American, 17-year-old Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, was fatally shot in the head and chest. His father has rejected the Israeli claims and is seeking answers about his son’s death.
The deaths and detentions of American citizens in the West Bank and Gaza have raised serious concerns, and calls for a thorough investigation and accountability have been made by the US Secretary of State.