West Bank village erupts as funeral of two young men sparks anger and unrest

Sudden Losses in Al-Mazra’ah ash-Sharqiyah

Two young Palestinians were killed on Friday in violent clashes with Israeli settlers in the village north of Ramallah. The incidents have reignited a hard‑fighting debate over the security and justice in the occupied West Bank.

Victims

• Saif al‑Din Abdul Karim Musalat, 20, a dual‑national born in Florida, died after settlers beat him on his family’s farmland in Sinjil.
• Mohammed al‑Shalabi, 23, was shot and left bleeding for hours during the same attack.

Community Reaction

Hundreds gathered on Sunday at Musalat’s funeral, chanting prayers and slogans. Women wept and screamed when the young man’s lifeless body was brought into his upscale family home, where they swore to demand justice.

Family Statements

Kamil Hafez Musalat, father of the victim, demanded “justice for these terrorist settlers” and said the Israeli army’s confirmation of “vandalism” was “a clear proof of the illegal presence of settlers.”

Hafez Abdoul Jabar, another dual‑national and bereaved father, told the crowd that “it has become nearly impossible for residents of the area to access their land without risking their lives.” He added that his son had been killed in January, “under unclear circumstances involving settlers and the Israeli military.”

Broader Context

• Since the conflict began after the October 7 attack on Gaza, at least 955 Palestinians—both militants and civilians—have been killed by Israeli soldiers or settlers.
• Official Israeli data list at least 36 Israelis—including civilians and security personnel—killed in Palestinian attacks or Israeli operations in the West Bank.

Pressing Issues

Palestinian residents insist that “we are people trying to live in peace” and that “the law is a weapon against us.” They are calling for action from the U.S. Embassy, which they say has been unhelpful for weeks.

Next Steps

• The Israeli army has launched an investigation into the “violent clashes.”
• Families continue to demand immediate justice and broader protection from settler violence.