SADDLE BROOK, NJ — A 14-year-old New Jersey native was killed Sunday during an Israeli military operation in the West Bank, prompting a call for answers from Governor Phil Murphy, who confirmed the teen’s identity and expressed condolences to the grieving family.
He is now calling for an investigation into the incident.
Key Points:
- Amer Mohammed Saada Rabee, 14, a U.S. citizen from Saddle Brook, was shot and killed in the West Bank.
- The Israeli military said troops opened fire on three individuals throwing rocks at civilian vehicles.
- Governor Phil Murphy has called on Israel to explain the circumstances of the boy’s death.
- Video released by the IDF allegedly shows Rabee and two others throwing rocks in an attack against Israeli civilians.
American teen among three shot
Amer Mohammed Saada Rabee, a Palestinian American formerly of Saddle Brook, was killed in the town of Turmus Ayya, a community in the Israeli-occupied West Bank with strong ties to the Palestinian American diaspora, Reuters reported. Two other teens were reportedly injured during the same incident.
The incident was captured on video.
videopic.twitter.com/gqeasTE2HC
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) April 6, 2025
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement saying soldiers from Unit 636 had identified “three terrorists who were throwing rocks at a highway with civilian vehicles” and opened fire, killing one and injuring two.
The IDF described the group as posing “a danger to civilians,” adding that the engagement occurred during an operational activity in the area under the Samaria Brigade.
Governor calls for investigation
In a statement released Monday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy acknowledged Rabee’s death and demanded an explanation from the Israeli government. “Amer was a U.S. citizen and New Jersey native who grew up in Saddle Brook,” Murphy said. “As the circumstances of his death remain unclear, I am asking for answers from the Israeli government.”
Murphy extended his condolences to the family, naming the boy’s parents, Mohammed and Majed, and four siblings. “This tragic loss of life underscores that the current course of conflict is continuing to take too great of a toll on too many people,” Murphy stated.
Community reaction and background
Turmus Ayya has seen increased violence in recent months amid ongoing conflict in the region. The town is home to many Palestinian Americans and dual citizens, who often visit or spend summers there.
The U.S. State Department has not yet released an official statement regarding Rabee’s death. The incident is under review, according to reports.