On May 11, the Palestinian Al-Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead during a research operation in the West Bank – and almost four months later, the Israeli army has now admitted for the first time that the fatal bullet “with a high degree of probability” came from one of its soldiers has been fired. As a final result of internal investigations, it was also stated that the shelling was “unintentional” and in the midst of a combat situation. Army chief Aviv Kochavi spoke of a “devastating incident”. However, there was still a residual doubt that the prominent journalist could have been shot by militant Palestinians.
In any case, “high probability” sounds different from everything that has been said by the Israeli side so far. Very soon after the incident, Israel’s army pointed to Palestinian perpetrators. Then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett protested against “unfounded allegations”. Abu Akleh’s employer Al Jazeera, on the other hand, immediately spoke of a “cold-blooded murder” and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas of an “execution”. The case fueled the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the slain reporter quickly gained martyrdom in the Arab world.
In the period that followed, numerous international media initially tried to clarify the matter. In addition to Al Jazeera, CNN, the AP news agency, started the Washington Post and the New York Times complex investigations. The UN also looked into the case. The results always indicated that Abu Akleh was killed by an Israeli bullet.
Fatal missile cleared for forensic investigation
Eventually, the USA also got involved, because Abu Akleh had American citizenship in addition to Palestinian citizenship. In July, through Washington mediation, the Palestinians agreed to release the deadly missile to a forensic examination conducted in Israel in the presence of American experts. To the great indignation of the Palestinians, however, it was said afterwards that “no clear result” was possible because the bullet was too damaged. Nevertheless, the government in Washington announced at the time that Abu Akleh “probably” died as a result of shots fired by the Israeli military.
At first this was ignored in Israel. With a two-month delay, however, the army’s formulation now resembles Washington’s assessment. However, a high-ranking Israeli officer, who asked not to be named, pointed out that the soldiers “abided by all the rules of engagement.” Therefore, there should be no criminal investigations. “I’m proud of my fighters,” he said, explaining that there was “a minimum of collateral damage” in the numerous skirmishes in the West Bank.
Abu Akleh’s family is “frustrated and disappointed” by the Israeli investigation results. “Israel refuses to accept responsibility for the murder of Shireen,” it said in a statement.