In the village of Al-Mazra'a Ash-Sharqiya in the West Bank, hundreds of mourners gathered on Saturday to bury Tawfiq Ajaq, a 17-year-old American teen who was killed by Israeli fire. His father used the occasion to express his frustration with the United States' military support for Israel, accusing Israeli forces of being "killer machines" financed by American tax dollars.

The tragic incident, which occurred on Friday, immediately caught the attention of the White House, prompting an expression of concern from Washington. Israeli police pledged to launch an investigation into Ajaq's death, adding to the growing number of fatal shootings in the West Bank. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza over three months ago, nearly 370 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire.

The Biden administration has repeatedly voiced its worries over the violence inflicted by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in recent months, emphasizing the need for calm and restraint. The funeral held on Saturday served as a platform for Ajaq's father to draw attention to the critical situation on the ground, calling on Americans to witness the ongoing violence themselves.

Tawfiq Ajaq, who was born and raised in Gretna, Louisiana, was brought to the village of Al-Mazra'a Ash-Sharqiya by his parents last year to reconnect with their Palestinian roots. The procession through the village streets was marked by Palestinians walking alongside a stretcher bearing Ajaq's body enveloped in a Palestinian flag, portraying a unity of grief and solidarity.

Hafez Ajaq, the grieving father, emphasized the urgency for the American society to acknowledge the reality unfolding in the West Bank. He urged them to personally witness the heartbreaking loss experienced by countless families and questioned the toll that must be endured before action is taken to address the situation.

According to Ajaq's relative, Joe Abdel Qaki, the tragic incident unfolded as Ajaq and a friend were enjoying a barbecue in a village field when Israeli fire struck him, resulting in wounds to the head and chest.

The death of Tawfiq Ajaq serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and further fuels concerns over the extent of US military support for Israel. As calls for justice and peace intensify, the international community continues to grapple with finding a sustainable solution to the long-standing conflict.