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The Israeli army admits that one of its soldiers probably shot a Palestinian-American journalist during a raid in the West Bank in May.
According to Israel, in that case she must have been shot after being mistaken for a Palestinian militant – despite the journalist wearing a protective vest with the word “press” on it.
“It is highly likely that Abu Akleh was accidentally hit by shots fired by the Israeli army at suspects identified as Palestinian gunmen,” the army’s final investigation report said.
The Israeli military’s admission comes after the army has insisted for months that it is impossible to determine the source of the shot, which during an Israeli raid in the city of Jenin killed 51-year-old journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
“More likely”
“Our conclusion is that it is not possible to clearly determine which shots killed her, but it is more likely that she was hit by an accidental shot from an Israeli soldier who did not identify her as a journalist,” said a senior officer in the Israeli the military.
Abu Akleh, who was an experienced correspondent for the television channel Al Jazeera, was killed by a shot to the head, despite the fact that she was wearing a protective vest with the text “press” on it at the time.
According to Al Jazeera, Israel does not intend to open a criminal investigation into the case.
Frustrated and disappointed
Abu Akleh’s family members write in a press release that they believe that Israel refuses to take responsibility for the death.
“We are still deeply hurt, frustrated and disappointed,” the family writes.
The Palestinian Authority has accused Israel of deliberately killing the journalist, and Al Jazeera condemns the findings of the Israeli investigation. The TV channel is demanding an investigation by an “independent international body”.