The United States has voiced its profound concern over reports of a US citizen being severely beaten by Israeli forces.

"We are profoundly troubled by reports that he was severely beaten while in police custody and strongly condemn any excessive use of force," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Saturday about Tariq Abu Khdeir who was allegedly arrested in Shuafat, in East Jerusalem al-Quds, for being masked.

"We are calling for a speedy, transparent and credible investigation and full accountability for any excessive use of force," Psaki said.

The State Department confirmed that the American-Palestinian youth caught on video earlier this week being beaten by members of the Israeli Border Police is from Florida.

Tariq, 15, was a cousin of Muhammed Abu Khdeir, 16, who was abducted last week and burned alive later. Muhammed’s burned body was found Wednesday in the Jerusalem al-Quds Forest.

"We reiterate our grave concern about the increasing violent incidents, and call on all sides to take steps to restore calm and prevent harm to innocents," Psaki said.

Israeli officials late Saturday night said they were opening an investigation into the beating after videos of the beating have gone viral.

A controversial footage emerged on Thursday, showing a handcuffed semi-conscious teen being aggressively beaten by Israeli officers before they drag him away.

The video shows security forces "stomping on his face," according the director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Tampa told a local Florida television station.

HK