WASHINGTON: The US State Department said on Wednesday that the United States expects a thorough criminal investigation and full accountability of the recent death of an American citizen in Israel.

Omar Assad, a US citizen, was found dead on Jan 12 after Israeli soldiers detai­ned him in the West Bank.

“We continue to be deeply concerned by the circumstances of the death of Mr Omar Assad,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told journalists in Washington. ”We welcome receiving additional information on these efforts as soon as possible.”

US authorities, he said, would continue to discuss “this troubling incident with the Israeli government.”

Mr Price also referred to a public statement on the Israeli military commanders’ report of the case, which acknowledged that “the incident showed a clear lapse of moral judgment” and a failure to “protect the sanctity of any human life.”

The Israeli public summary of the investigation further stated that disciplinary action was being taken against the commander of the “Netzah Yehuda” Battalion and other officers responsible for the unit involved in the incident. The Israeli statement also said that the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division was still investigating the case.

“We convey, again, our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Mr Assad. The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens abroad,” Mr Price said.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2022