Israeli settlers beat U.S. citizen to death in West Bank
Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank beat a U.S. citizen to death, according to local officials, during a Friday confrontation between a group of Israelis and Palestinians.
A municipal official and a relative of 21-year-old Sayfollah Musallet confirmed his death to NPR. Musallet was born in Florida and was in the village of Sinjil this week visiting family.
The Israeli military said that a confrontation had broken out between Palestinians and Israelis, and officials were investigating reports of a Palestinian civilian killed.
A U.S. embassy spokesperson confirmed Musallet’s death.
Israeli officials rarely prosecute those accused of violence against Palestinians, and when they do, a very small percentage end in conviction.
The U.S. Department of Justice has faced criticisms from its own attorneys for the “glaring gap” between how the agency investigates crimes committed by Russia and Hamas, as opposed to accusations of crimes committed by Israel and its citizens.
Since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas against Israel that killed some 1,200 people and resulted in the kidnapping of several hundred more, tensions between Palestinians and Israelis have been on the rise, even among the civilian population.
Israel’s response to the attacks has resulted in the deaths of more than 55,000 Palestinians – over half of whom were women and children – and left more than 127,000 wounded.
And Israel’s unrelenting siege in the region has resulted in a humanitarian crisis that has pushed health and welfare infrastructures in Gaza to the verge of collapse.
Despite widespread condemnation by some world leaders of Israel’s heavy-handed retaliation against Hamas, the United States continues to provide funding for the 21-month-long conflict.
Last month, the Trump administration said it would dedicate $30 million to an Israeli-backed program to control Gaza’s limited food supplies that the United Nations has described as a “death trap.”
Ongoing attempts to negotiate a ceasefire have so far proven unsuccessful.
Auburn tabs USF’s Alex Golesh as its next coach, replacing Hugh Freeze on the Plains
The 41-year-old Golesh, who was born in Russia and moved to the United State at age 7, is signing a six-year contract that averages more than $7 million annually to replace Hugh Freeze. Freeze was fired in early November after failing to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three seasons on the Plains.
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
