US confirms killing of American in occupied West Bank

WASHINGTON

The US State Department on Saturday confirmed the death of an American civilian Friday in the occupied West Bank and said it has asked the Israeli government for more information.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the family," a State Department spokesperson told Anadolu. "We are working to understand the circumstances of the incident and have asked the Government of Israel for further information."

The spokesperson refused to provide further information "out of respect to the family during this difficult time."

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Friday that the US was "seriously concerned" by reports that Israeli forces fatally shot a Palestinian-American teen in the occupied territory.

Tawfiq Hafiz Hajazi, 17, was killed Friday by the Israeli army near the town of Al-Mazraa Al-Sharqiya, east of Ramallah, according to the official Palestinian news agency, WAFA. It said he was shot in the head and was taken to a hospital where he died.

Israeli police said Saturday they were investigating the shooting.

Tensions have been running high across the West Bank since Israel launched a deadly military offensive against the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

At least 370 Palestinians have since been killed and nearly 4,200 injured, according to officials.

In the Gaza Strip, at least 24,927 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and 62,388 injured, said Palestinian health authorities.