Palestinian Americans die from inhaling smoke in the West Bank after the settlers put fires of cars, homes

Palestinian America died in The West Bank occupied by Israel Last week, after a confrontation with the settlers, US officials confirmed.

A US official told CBS News, Khamis Iyad, who was in his forties, died on Thursday due to the inhalation of smoke in Slawad, a village in the central West Bank near several Israeli settlements. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Friday that the fires were placed by settlers in homes and vehicles in Slawad, according to the Pask France Agency.

A US State Department spokesman confirmed to CBS News The Death on Sunday and condemned what they called “criminal violence by any party.”

“We offer condolences to the family for their loss and offer consular assistance to them,” the spokesman said, adding that they will not comment more.

Ayyad was placed on Friday.

The Palestinian Authority, which runs part of the West Bank occupied by Israel, told Agence France -Presse that some of the surrounding villages were attacked by the settlers, as vehicles, homes and agricultural lands were tightened.

Witnesses said that the Israeli forces fired live tours and tear gas towards the residents after he attacked the settlers.

The Israeli army said the police were investigating the incident. They said that the security forces found writing on the Hebrew walls and a burning car at the scene, but they did not invoke any suspects.

Ayyad is the latest Palestinian America to die in the West Bank in three weeks.

Saif Allah Camille Moussalit, a 20 -year -old man from Tamba, was To death by the settlers While visiting the family in the West Bank in July. He was killed with a confrontation with Settlers During the protection of his family’s land in the town of Single, north of Ramallah, according to his family and the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Hakapi, who visited Gaza last week with American envoy Steve Whittvo, asked Israel to “investigate the crime of murder”, saying as social media that “there must be accountability for this criminal and terrorist act.”

There was a rise in settlers’ attacks on the Palestinians, as well as the attacks of the Palestinian militants on the Israelis and the large Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 on Israel from Gaza, which led to the Hames Israel war.

The terrorists, led by Hamas, killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, on that day and kidnapped 251 others. They still carry 50 hostages, including about 20 still believed to be alive. Most of the others have been released in the ceasefire or other deals.

Israel’s retaliatory attack More than 60,000 Palestinians were killedAccording to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, which does not distinguish between militants and civilians and operates under the Hamas government. The United Nations and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on victims.

In Gaza on Sunday, at least 23 Palestinians looking for food were killed by Israeli forces, according to hospital officials and witnesses, who described the shooting confrontation while the hungry crowds were rising around relief sites.

Despair has acquired more than two million, which experts have warned that it is facing famine Because of the Israeli blockade and attack for about two years.

Margaret Brennan

He contributed to this report.