Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, has called for an aggressive investigation into the murder of Sayfollah Musallet, a 20-year-old Palestinian American who was killed by extremists during a confrontation in the West Bank. The victim was visiting family when he was reportedly beaten to death in Sinj, a village in the West Bank. His family has called for accountability, while Israeli officials have not yet arrested any suspects. The incident has raised concerns about settler violence and its impact on U.S.-Israeli relations.
The Palestinian Health Authority confirmed that Musallet was killed during an attack by extremist settlers, though they did not specify the exact circumstances. The family of Musallet, who was visiting from Tampa, Florida, to reconnect with relatives and visit family-owned farmland, has demanded an investigation, stating that the event represents an unimaginable nightmare and injustice. They have also called for the U.S. State Department to take the lead in investigating the case and holding the Israeli settlers responsible for their crimes.
Israeli military officials described the confrontation as beginning when Palestinians threw rocks at settlers, lightly injuring two. According to the army, non-lethal crowd control methods were used during the incident. So far, no Israeli suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings. Two Israeli minors detained on Friday night for suspected involvement in public disturbances were subsequently released to house arrest. A reserve soldier questioned by the military police over the shooting was also released. However, the lack of an autopsy and the fact that the bodies were not transferred to Israeli authorities have raised concerns about the transparency of the investigation, potentially complicating efforts to determine the full sequence of events.
Additionally, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported that another man, 23-year-old Mohammed al-Shalabi, was shot in the chest and also killed during the same incident. Sources in the Israeli police told Haaretz newspaper that the absence of an autopsy and the failure to transfer the bodies to Israeli authorities may hinder the investigation. A military court also released Abdullah Hamida, a Palestinian resident arrested during the settler raid, criticizing police conduct. During the hearing, the police representative admitted he was unaware that any Palestinians had been killed, and incorrectly claimed the only wounded were settlers.
The U.S. State Department acknowledged awareness of the incident but declined to provide further comments, citing its respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones. This incident has intensified the scrutiny over settler violence and its implications for U.S.-Israeli relations, particularly as the Trump administration seeks to reassert influence in the region amid a complex geopolitical landscape. The situation has drawn attention to ongoing tensions in the West Bank and the challenges of maintaining stability in the region.