Israel-Gaza updates: Police killed in border shooting, authorities say
The attack occurred at the Allenby Bridge crossing with Jordan.
As the Israel-Hamas war continues, the latest round of cease-fire discussions appears to have reached an impasse.
Meanwhile, after six hostages were found dead in Gaza, protests erupted in Israel. Protesters have lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded the government bring the hostages home.
Latest headlines:
- Netanyahu links Iran, Hamas to border killings
- Rescued hostage to Netanyahu: 'Do the right thing'
- 3 killed in Jordan border 'shooting attack,' authorities say
- Israeli forces pull out of Jenin, leaving widespread destruction
- American woman killed in the West Bank
- Official pushes back on claim US is too optimistic on deal
Family of American killed in West Bank calls for independent investigation
The family of American-Turkish citizen Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, killed yesterday in the West Bank, is calling on the U.S. to order an independent investigation of her killing, saying, "we welcome the White House’s statement of condolences, but given the circumstances of Aysenur’s killing, an Israeli investigation is not adequate."
"Today our family and our community are in shock and grief, as we wrestle with the reality that our beloved Aysenur Ezgi Eygi is gone, the statement read. "Like the olive tree she lay beneath where she took her last breaths, Aysenur was strong, beautiful, and nourishing. Her presence in our lives was taken needlessly, unlawfully, and violently by the Israeli military."
"A U.S. citizen, Aysenur was peacefully standing for justice when she was killed by a bullet that video shows came from an Israeli military shooter," the statement continued. "We welcome the White House’s statement of condolences, but given the circumstances of Aysenur’s killing, an Israeli investigation is not adequate. We call on President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary of State Blinken to order an independent investigation into the unlawful killing of a U.S. citizen and to ensure full accountability for the guilty parties."
Israeli forces pull out of Jenin, leaving widespread destruction
Ten days after the start of Israeli military operations in Jenin, Palestinian news agencies report Israeli forces have withdrawn from the West Bank city.
The military operation left at least 39 dead and 150 injured and widespread destruction, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The past week was the deadliest for Palestinian civilians in the West Bank since November 2023, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
The Israel Defense Forces said it eliminated 14 terrorists and apprehended over 30 suspects during the operation, including killing Wassem Hazem, who was described as the head of Hamas operations in Jenin.
While Israeli forces withdrew from Jenin on Friday, an Israeli security source told ABC News that "counterterrorism activities [are] likely to resume" at an unknown time.
-ABC News' Dana Savir, Nasser Atta and Latifeh Abdelattif
American woman killed in the West Bank
A 26-year-old American woman has died at Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, in the West Bank, according to the hospital director.
The woman, identified as Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, was a "foreign solidarity" activist, one of a number of Americans and other foreigners, who work to protect Palestinian farmers in the West Bank from attacks by Israeli settlers.
The hospital director said Eygi was shot in the head and that medical teams provided CPR before she was pronounced dead.
In July, shocking video showed a group of activists attacked by settlers near Qusra, in the West Bank, while trying to protect Palestinian farmers harvesting olives.
The U.S. State Department said it was aware of the "tragic death" of Eygi in the West Bank.
"We offer our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. We are urgently gathering more information about the circumstances of her death and will have more to say as we learn more. We have no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens," said Matt Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department.
-ABC News' Latifeh Abdelattif and Shannon K. Kingston
Egyptian military chief visits Egypt-Gaza border
Egyptian military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Ahmed Khalifa made a surprise visit to the country’s border with Gaza to inspect security measures on Thursday, according to a spokesperson.
The unannounced visit comes a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would only agree to a cease-fire deal if Israeli forces remain in the Philadlephi corridor, which separates Gaza and Egypt. This has been a main sticking point in the ongoing cease-fire and hostage negotiations.
The border crossing from Egypt into Gaza has been closed since May.
-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy