PRESS STATEMENT: CAIR-Chicago & CAIR Welcome Rep. Chuy García Oversight Letter Seeking U.S. Probe into Killing of Khamis Ayyad by Israeli Settlers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(CHICAGO, IL, 4/24/2026) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations and its Chicago office (CAIR-Chicago) today welcomed an oversight letter led by Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) demanding the U.S. Department of State and Department of Justice conduct an "independent, thorough, and transparent" investigation into the killing of U.S. citizen Khamis Ayyad, who died on July 31, 2025 after inhaling smoke while attempting to save his family and neighbors during an Israeli settler attack in the occupied West Bank.
Rep. Chuy’s Oversight Demand Letter
Ayyad, a Palestinian American father of five who was raised in Cicero, Illinois—within Congressman García’s district—was reportedly attempting to extinguish fires set by Israeli settlers and rescue residents when he succumbed to smoke inhalation. Eyewitness accounts also indicate Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were present and fired live rounds and tear gas during the attack, raising additional questions about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Congressman García’s letter, signed by 23 congressional members, demands written answers from the State Department and DOJ on what the U.S. government knows about Khamis Ayyad’s killing, whether it will initiate an independent investigation, what accountability measures it will pursue if Israel refuses to cooperate, and what steps it is taking to protect U.S. citizens in the occupied West Bank amid escalating settler violence. The letter also presses the administration to address the killings of other Americans in the occupied West Bank since 2022, noting a pattern of impunity.
In a statement, Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, said:
“We commend Congressman García for demanding what should be the bare minimum when an American citizen is killed abroad: a credible U.S. investigation and a path toward accountability. Khamis Ayyad was not only a U.S. citizen, but a beloved father, husband, and member of our Chicagoland community who died while risking his life to save others from a settler attack. His killing demands more than diplomatic platitudes—it demands action."
Rehab continued, “For too long, Palestinian Americans killed by Israeli settlers or soldiers have been met with delays, deflection, and impunity. Congressman García’s letter rightly asks whether our government will investigate what happened to Khamis, whether it will hold those responsible accountable, and what it is doing to prevent the next American life from being taken. These are urgent questions the administration must answer.”
WATCH MORE—CAIR-Chicago Calls for DOJ Probe of Killing of U.S. Citizen by Israeli settlers
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said:
“This letter raises critical oversight questions about whether the U.S. government is fulfilling its responsibility to protect American citizens abroad. After repeated failures to secure justice for Americans killed in the occupied West Bank, Congress is right to demand a timeline for an investigation, a written report to Congress and the family, and answers about what accountability mechanisms will be pursued. We urge the administration to respond with the seriousness this case warrants.”
Khamis Ayyad’s family has described him as a man of extraordinary compassion and courage. In a tribute, his brother Laith wrote that Khamis “did not step back” as homes burned, but persisted in rescuing others until he could no longer endure the smoke—ultimately losing his life while trying to save his family and neighbors. His family says his legacy remains one of “courage, kindness, generosity, and righteousness.”
READ THE FULL STATEMENT: In Memory of Khamis Ayyad: A Tribute by His Brother Laith
CAIR and CAIR-Chicago urge the State Department and Department of Justice to respond promptly to Congressman García’s letter, launch a full independent investigation, and pursue accountability for the killing of Khamis Ayyad and other U.S. citizens killed amid escalating settler violence.
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CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; Hafsa Haider, Communications Director of CAIR-Chicago, 561-317-7509, hhaider@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com