In the midst of continued fighting and violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, a disturbing incident unfolded on Friday as witnesses reported the killing of an American-Turkish dual national by Israeli forces. This tragic event has further intensified calls for an independent investigation and raised concerns about US complicity in the Israeli occupation.

US officials, including chief negotiator William Burns, have maintained that a ceasefire in Gaza is within reach, despite the ongoing hostilities. Burns, echoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, stated that 90% of the text had been agreed upon, while acknowledging that the remaining 10% proved to be the most challenging.

However, even with pressure from the US, Israel's vital ally, and mediators from Qatar and Egypt engaging with Hamas, the fighting in Gaza and the mounting tensions in the West Bank have not abated. In response to the killing of Ayşenur Eygi, 26, during an anti-settlement protest, the US has expressed urgency in seeking more information about the incident.

Eygi's family has joined the growing chorus of voices calling for an independent investigation into her killing, further pressuring the Biden administration to take action and address the perceived US complicity in the Israeli occupation. The incident, which occurred during a protest in the West Bank, has raised concerns about the IDF's investigation process, as only about 1% of army inquiries result in prosecutions according to rights groups.

Eygi was among a group of demonstrators who had gathered to protest against the Eyvatar Israeli settlement, which was built on land belonging to Palestinian farmers. Witnesses have provided similar accounts of the shooting, stating that after tear gas was fired at the demonstrators, two shots were heard. One bullet struck a protester in the stomach, causing minor injuries, while the other tragically hit Eygi in the head.

The IDF has reported that they are investigating the incident, claiming that Eygi was shot while being an "instigator of violent activity" who posed a threat by throwing rocks at the Israeli forces. However, residents of the area have expressed skepticism of the IDF's account, highlighting the disproportionate force used against protestors, including children.

This incident is emblematic of the increasing perception among Palestinians that the IDF, while serving as a protective military wing of the settlers, takes cues from the far-right elements of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Palestinian officials and rights groups have long accused the IDF of either standing by or participating in settler attacks.

Sadly, Eygi's killing is not an isolated incident. Just kilometers away in the village of Qaryut, another tragic event unfolded as Amjad Bakr buried his 12-year-old daughter, Bana, who was shot dead while opening her bedroom window on the same day Eygi was killed. In both cases, there are allegations that the IDF failed to intervene and protect innocent civilians.

The situation in the West Bank has become increasingly volatile, with Israeli troops and settlers responsible for the deaths of at least 662 Palestinians since Hamas initiated the hostilities in October. This number is nearly five times higher than the previous year, highlighting the concerning escalation in violence. In the past 48 hours alone, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have claimed the lives of 61 people, bringing the death toll to 40,939 overall.

The ceasefire talks, which have reached a stalemate, hinge upon the contentious issue of Israeli troop withdrawal from the Gaza-Egypt border. Prime Minister Netanyahu's refusal to comply with this demand has become an insurmountable obstacle for Hamas, adding further complexity to the negotiations.

Tensions between Israel and its regional adversaries, including Iran and Hezbollah, continue to simmer, threatening to push the entire region towards a devastating regional conflict. As the world watches, the urgency to address the ongoing violence in Gaza and the escalating tensions in the West Bank grows more significant with each passing day.