Documentary identifies Israeli soldier who fatally shot Shireen Abu Akleh
- A documentary claims to identify the Israeli soldier who shot Shireen Abu Akleh during an Israeli military operation in May 2022.
- Initial findings from CNN and other outlets suggested the killing was a targeted attack, contrary to the IDF's claims.
- The film raises questions about the handling of Abu Akleh's case and accountability within the Israeli military and U.S. administration.
In May 2022, Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed while covering an Israeli military operation targeting militants in Jenin, located in the West Bank. At the time of her death, she was clearly identifiable as a member of the press, wearing protective gear. Following her killing, investigations by various media organizations, including CNN, found that the shooting was likely a targeted attack, as the only militants in the area could not have reached her from their position. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later admitted a high possibility that she was killed by Israeli fire but did not pursue charges against any soldiers, maintaining that the shooter believed he was targeting militants. A new documentary titled 'Who Killed Shireen?' claims to identify the soldier responsible for the fatal shot. Produced by the independent news outlet Zeteo, the film follows journalists Dion Nissenbaum and Conor Powell as they investigate the circumstances surrounding Abu Akleh's death and how the Biden administration handled the following investigation. An anonymous official from the Biden administration suggests that despite public claims that the shooting was not intentional, evidence indicates otherwise, arguing that the soldier was able to clearly see Abu Akleh was a noncombatant, hinting at an intentional act. The documentary includes testimony from a fellow soldier who identifies the shooter as a member of an elite Israeli commando unit. This individual is portrayed as regretful upon learning he killed a journalist but did not exhibit deep remorse. Abu Akleh's alleged shooter was later killed in a military operation during a separate incident in June 2024, raising further questions surrounding the ongoing conflict and the treatment of journalists in the region. The impact of Abu Akleh's death and the resulting investigations highlight the dangers faced by journalists covering conflicts in areas like Gaza, where increased military actions have turned the situation perilous. Since her death, the conflict has escalated, resulting in at least 175 more journalists killed during military campaigns against groups like Hamas. In light of this ongoing violence, Abu Akleh's family emphasizes accountability for not just the individual shooter but for those in command who contributed to the chain of events leading to her death.