Israel has refused to launch an official investigation into Shireen Abu Akleh’s murder. Israeli Defense forces released a statement on Monday saying that there is a “high chance” that Palestinian-American Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed by Israeli fire in May while documenting an Israeli military operation in Jenin. However, the IDF’s Military Advocate General’s Office said in a separate statement on Monday that the Israeli military had no plans to press charges against or prosecute any of the accused soldiers.
According to a senior IDF officer, who briefed journalists on the conclusions of the military’s investigation before they were made public said ‘IDF forces did not know they were shooting at the press, and Abu Akleh’s back was “possibly” being turned to the soldiers was a contributing factor. Abu Akleh can be seen in photos taken at the scene of the incident donning a protective vest with “PRESS” written across the front and back of it.
