In a deadly spree of settler violence in the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers invaded the village of Sinjil late Friday night and murdered Palestinian-American Sayfollah "Saif" Musallet and killed a Palestinian man, Mohammad al-Shalabi, shot dead, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported. the attack ignites long-standing tensions and raises critical questions about accountability and civilian protection in the area.
Night of Terror in Sinjil The night of July 11 witnessed colonists attacking the agricultural village of Sinjil, Ramallah's north. Palestinian Health Ministry reports that 20‑year‑old Saif Musallet, an American from Tampa, Florida, was beaten to death after being denied for nearly three hours access to medical care. Another man, 23‑year‑old Mohammad al‑Shalabi, was shot in the chest and killed. The Israeli Defence Forces confirmed that they were investigating reports of the killing of a civilian following clashes between settlers and locals.
Victims and Family Reactions Musallet's relatives, forced to grieve for a tragedy on another continent, called for swift justice. His father requested the U.S. State Department to "initiate an immediate inquiry and hold the Israeli settlers… accountable". His mother, Maha Halum, wept: "My son is gone forever… nothing was being done about it." Mohammad al‑Shalabi’s killing occurred amid the chaos, with his body left unattended for hours, further inflaming public outrage. The U.S. State Department confirmed awareness of the incident but offered “no further comment… out of respect for the privacy of the family”.
A Pattern of Settler Violence This is the latest in a surge of settler attacks since the October 2023 Gaza war. Rights groups and Palestinian residents speak of a continued pattern of repetition: beatings, arson, and vandalism, all too often with impunity or even in the presence of Israeli soldiers, who are infrequently deployed. Sinjil itself has seen rising violence, such as the barrier constructed by Israeli troops in 2024 that restricts Palestinian access to fields. The UN and human rights organizations have repeatedly stated that Israeli settlements are not following international law, although Israel has territorial claims on biblical and historical grounds.
Demand for Accountability and International Action Human rights organizations like CAIR and the IMEU have also pleaded for U.S. intervention, terming settler behavior as "lynching Palestinians more and more with full support from Israel's army". The Israeli army claims that the violence began as a reaction to Palestinian stone-throwing and that non-lethal force was used. Critics argue that few of the investigations lead to prosecutions.
Looking Ahead: Justice and Further Risks The attack escalated fear among West Bank Palestinians and American citizens who have ancestral ties in the region. Victims' families appealed to Washington to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel to prosecute the perpetrators. As tensions rise, the questions of utmost significance are: Will this tragedy lead to policy changes? Can justice be delivered to Saif, Mohammad, and others caught in the cycle of violence?