A Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead while covering an Israeli raid in the Jenin refugee camp of the occupied West Bank.
Working for Al Jazeera, Akleh died in the line of duty while her producer was wounded because of firing. The killing of the widely respected journalist drew widespread international condemnation and led to growing calls for a full investigation to determine the killers.
The Qatar-based network claimed Shireen Akleh, 51, was shot “deliberately” and “in cold blood” by Israeli troops in Jenin.
The Palestinian president accused the Israeli government fully responsible for what he described as a “crime of execution”.
Shireen Abu Akleh, who was born to a Palestinian Christian family in Jerusalem, was known to millions for her coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel has rejected allegations that its forces targeted the journalist and suggested she might have been killed in the militant firing. The surviving Al Jazeera producer has disputed the Israeli claim.
On Wednesday morning, Aqleh went to the Jenin refugee camp to report on a raid by Israeli soldiers and security forces, which the Israeli military claimed was conducted to apprehend “terrorist suspects”.
The Palestinian Health Ministry said Abu Akleh was hit in the head by a live bullet during the raid. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead. Her Palestinian colleague and Al Jazeera producer Ali Samoudi was shot in the back and was in a stable condition in the hospital.
Al Jazeera has paid tribute to its correspondent and her decades-long work, saying she gave voice to the Palestinians.
In Washington, the U.S. State Department expressed condolences over the killing of the journalist and called for an immediate investigation into the killing, saying “we are absolutely heartbroken to learn of the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh and injuries to her producer Ali Samoudi today in the West Bank.”
“We send our deepest condolences to Shireen’s family, her friends, and loved ones, and strongly condemn her killing as we do the killing of journalists around the world,” Spokesperson Ned Price said.
“We call for an immediate and thorough investigation and full accountability. Investigating attacks on independent media and prosecuting those responsible are of paramount importance. We will continue to promote media freedom and protect journalists’ ability to do their jobs without fear of violence, threats to their lives or safety, or unjust detention. Her death is a tragic loss and an affront to media freedom everywhere.”
The United Nations has also called for an investigation into the killing of the journalist.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was appalled by the killing and echoed the call for the relevant authorities to conduct an independent and transparent investigation.
According to a statement issued by his Spokesperson, the UN Chief also condemned all attacks and killings of journalists, stressing that they must never be the target of violence.
“Media workers should be able to carry out their work freely and without harassment, intimidation, or the fear of being targeted,” the statement said.
The UN chief reiterated his firm conviction that a free press is essential for peace, justice, sustainable development and human rights.
Audrey Azoulay, head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization issued a statement condemning her killing.
Ms. Abu Akleh was shot “despite the fact that she was wearing a jacket with the word ‘press’ written on it”, she said.
“The killing of a clearly identified press worker in a conflict area is a violation of international law. I call on the relevant authorities to investigate this crime and bring those responsible to justice.”
