US continues to expect Israel to take civilian safety into account: Pentagon

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US will continue to urge Israel to take civilian safety into account while carrying out operations in the Gaza Strip, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

"As far as the West Bank, again, as I mentioned earlier, the (Defense) Secretary (Lloyd Austin) has spoken to (Israeli Defense) minister (Yoav) Gallant about the importance of taking civilian safety into account, as well as making sure that actions being taken don't inflame tensions and result in a wider conflict," spokesman Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters.

His remarks came after Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, was fatally shot by Israeli forces last Friday during a protest against illegal Israeli settlements in Beita, a town just outside of Nablus.

The Israeli army said it is “highly likely” that Eygi was “indirectly and unintentionally” hit by fire from its forces in the occupied West Bank.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel’s killing of Eygi is "unprovoked and unjustified," and that it is "unacceptable."

Ryder said he thinks the State Department does have an understanding of international humanitarian law and rules of engagement "writ large."

"They assess accusations of violations of international humanitarian law, and I know those assessments are ongoing. In the meantime, we are going to continue to encourage ... and expect our Israeli counterparts to take civilian safety into account," he added.

Eygi, born in Antalya, Türkiye, in 1998, graduated in June from the University of Washington, where she studied psychology and Middle Eastern languages and cultures.

She arrived in the West Bank last Tuesday to volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement as part of an effort to support and safeguard Palestinian farmers.