Shireen Abu Akleh.
Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh — a veteran Al Jazeera reporter —was killed amid an Israeli military raidin the West Bank town of Jenin on Wednesday, the outlet confirmed on Wednesday.
Al Jazeera reported that 51-year-old Abu Akleh — who was a dual Palestinian-American citizen — was fatally shot in the head early Wednesday, while reporting from a refugee camp in the northern West Bank. She was rushed to a hospital and pronounced dead shortly after, the news network added, citing fellow journalists and the Palestinian health ministry.
“Abu Akleh was wearing a press vest and was standing with other journalists when she was killed,” Al Jazeera reported.
Al Jazeera said another of its journalists, Ali Samoudi, was shot in the back, and has since been hospitalized in stable condition. “We were going to film the Israeli army operation and suddenly they shot us without asking us to leave or stop filming,” al-Samoudi told the outlet, adding: “The first bullet hit me and the second bullet hit Shireen … there was no Palestinian military resistance at all at the scene.”
“We were four journalists, we were all wearing vests, all wearing helmets,” journalist Shatha Hanaysha — who said she was standing next to Abu Akleh during the shooting — told Al Jazeera. “The [Israeli] occupation army did not stop firing even after she collapsed. I couldn’t even extend my arm to pull her because of the shots being fired. The army was adamant on shooting to kill.”
Palestinian politician Khalida Jarrar told Al Jazeera: “Shireen was our voice. It is unbelievable. It is a crime, it is all clear – intentional and direct targeting. She was targeted. It’s clear.”
The White House has weighed in on Abu Akleh’s death, with Press Secretary Jen Psaki saying the administration was “heartbroken.”
“We are heartbroken to learn of the killing of Palestinian-American journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, and injuries to producer Ali Samoudi, today in the West Bank,” Psakisaid in a tweetWednesday. “We send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and strongly condemn her killing.”
“We call for an immediate and thorough investigation and full accountability,” Psaki added. “Investigating attacks on independent media and prosecuting those responsible are of paramount importance.”
Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapidproposed a joint Israeli-Palestinian investigationinto the shooting and death of Abu Akleh, adding, “journalists must be protected in conflict zones”.
Al Jazeera reports that an official funeral will be held for Abu Akleh on Thursday, at the Palestinian presidency headquarters in Ramallah.
source: people.com
