US lawmaker slams Israeli 'cruel occupation' over death of Palestinian

US congresswoman Betty McCollum from the state of Minnesota offered condolences Friday for the death of an elderly Palestinian-American who was detained by Israel during a raid in the occupied West Bank.

"This week 80-year old Omar Abdulmajeed Asaad, a Palestinian-American living in the West Bank, was pulled from his car, beaten by Israeli soldiers, and left to die on the side of the road. My condolences to Mr. Asaad’s family. He is now another victim of this cruel occupation," the Democratic lawmaker wrote on Twitter.

Fuad Fattoum, the head of the municipal council in the village of Jaljulia, told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday that Asaad, who is from the village, died after being held and assaulted by the Israeli army.

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He said soldiers stormed the village and detained Asaad after beating and handcuffing him. Soldiers withdrew, leaving the elderly man lying on the ground inside a house under construction, where he died.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Thursday that the US contacted Asaad’s family to express condolences and demanded answers from Tel Aviv about the murder.

Israel said an investigation into the matter is underway.