Investigation Uncovers Likely Israeli Soldier's Bullet in Al Jazeera Journalist's Death

Strategic Insights -

A Post investigation has found that the May 11 shooting death of Shireen Abu Akleh, Al Jazeera's star reporter, was likely caused by an Israeli soldier's bullet while she was covering Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the occupied West Bank. The investigation, which reviewed audio, video, and witness testimony, contradicts Israeli assertions that errant Palestinian gunfire killed her. This development casts doubt on Israel's insistence that it cannot rule out the latter scenario.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Post investigation reviewed audio, video, and witness testimony, which suggested that an Israeli soldier's bullet killed Shireen Abu Akleh.
  • The findings support the Palestinian Authority's investigation, which concluded that Israeli fire was likely responsible for Abu Akleh's death.
  • The investigation refutes Israeli claims that a Palestinian gunman drew fire that hit Abu Akleh.
  • The Post investigation did not find any evidence that a soldier targeted Abu Akleh because she was a journalist.
  • Israeli officials have acknowledged that their troops' actions may be to blame, and have identified a potentially responsible soldier and a weapon.
  • The whole incident could have been avoided, but for a wave of West Bank-based Palestinian attacks that killed 19 Israelis.
  • Many are calling for an independent investigation of Abu Akleh's death, but such an inquiry may be difficult given the high emotions and low trust in the Middle East.

Statistics:

  • Shireen Abu Akleh was a 51-year-old American citizen of Palestinian descent.
  • She was killed on May 11 while covering Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the occupied West Bank.
  • 19 Israelis were killed in a wave of West Bank-based Palestinian attacks in the six weeks preceding Abu Akleh's death.
  • Israel has proposed a ballistics test, with Palestinian Authority participation and under U.S. observation, to determine if the bulletextracted from Abu Akleh matches one of Israel's guns.
  • 95% of the Palestinian Authority's population is Muslim (Source: CIA World Factbook).
  • 75% of the Israeli population is Jewish (Source: CIA World Factbook).

Sources:

  • The Post reporting team
  • Palestinian Authority
  • Israeli government
  • Al Jazeera
  • CIA World Factbook