US demands overhaul of Israeli conduct in W. Bank

Officials make strongest comments so far after 'unprovoked' killing of American

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sept 10 demanded an overhaul of Israeli military conduct in the occupied West Bank as they decried the fatal shooting of an American protester against settlement expansion, which Israel said was accidental.

Ms Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, who is also a Turkish national, was shot dead on Sept 6 at a protest march in Beita, a village near Nablus, where Palestinians have been repeatedly attacked by far-right Jewish settlers.

Israel's military said on Sept 10 that its initial inquiry found it was highly likely its troops had fired the shot that killed her but that her death was unintentional, and it voiced deep regret.

US President Joe Biden later told reporters "it ricocheted off the ground" and a US official said that was the conclusion of the Israeli investigation, the results of which were presented to the US on Sept 10. Palestinian officials say Ms Eygi was struck in the head.

Ms Eygi's family called Israel's preliminary inquiry "wholly inadequate" and demanded an independent US investigation.