Ms. Akleh – an experienced TV journalist familiar with covering the Occupied Palestinian Territories – was killed on 11 May, when she tried to cover the operation of the Security Forces arrest. Israel and clashes in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied northern West Bank.
‘It’s worrisome’
“More than six weeks after journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was murdered and colleague Ali Sammoudi injured in Jenin on May 11, 2022, It is disturbing that the Israeli authorities have not conducted a criminal investigation,” speak OHCHR Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.
Following the OHCHR’s investigation into the incident, Ms. Shamdasani added that “this surveillance from our Office is consistent with numerous findings there that the shots that killed her came from the Israeli Security Forces.”
Rebutting that conclusion, a statement by the Israeli mission in Geneva asserted that it was not yet possible to conclude who was responsible, as the Palestinian Authority “refuses to conduct a joint investigation and hand over the bullet”.
Last moments
Speaking to journalists in Geneva, Ms. Shamdasani described Ms. Akleh’s final moments with her colleague, Ali Sammoudi.
“At about half past six in the morning, as four journalists turned onto the road leading to the camp, wearing bulletproof helmets and jackets marked ‘PRESS’, a few single, seemingly well-aimed bullets were fired. fired at them from the direction of the Israeli Security Forces. A single bullet wounded Ali Sammoudi in the shoulder, and another hit Abu Akleh in the head and killed her instantly.. “
Highlighting how the OHCHR probe has followed the methodology used in many situations in other countries, Ms. Shamdasani explained that there are There is no evidence of nearby armed Palestinian activity.
Ms. Akleh and her colleagues “went slowly to see their presence of Israeli forces deployed on the streets,” Shamdasani said. “Our findings indicate that No warning was given and no shooting took place at that timee and at that location. “
Every angle
She added: “We examined the photographic, video and audio material, we visited the scene, we consulted experts and we reviewed the information. official contact; we interviewed people who were also at the scene when Abu Akleh was killed… Based on this very close surveillance, we found that the shots that killed Abu Akleh from the Israeli Security Forces and not from indiscriminate shooting by armed Palestinians. “
After Ms. Abu Akleh was shot, “several other single bullets were fired when an unarmed man tried to reach her body and another uninjured journalist was taking shelter behind a tree,” the OHCHR official continued. “Shots continued to be fired as this individual finally managed to remove Abu Akleh’s body.”
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has urged the Israeli authorities to open a criminal investigation Abu Akleh and all other killings and grievous injuries of Israeli forces in the West Bank.
Since the beginning of the year, OHCHR said it has verified that Israeli Security Forces killed 58 Palestinians in the West Bank, including 13 children.
“International human rights law requires a prompt, thorough, transparent, independent and objective investigation into any use of force that results in death or serious injury,” Ms. Shamdasani said. “The vandals must be held accountable.”
Israel has denied the results of the OHCHR investigation, adding that the Palestinian Authority did not hand over the bullet that killed Ms. Abu Akleh.
© Unsplash / Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona
A sign from a rally in London supporting Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
