(Geneva) Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli gunfire on May 11, the UN Human Rights Office, Israel concluded, ruling out a deliberate shooting , judging for his part this investigation “unfounded”.
Posted at 10:59
“All the information we have gathered – including from the Israeli army and the Palestinian attorney general – supports the fact that the shots that killed Mr.me Abu Akleh and wounded his colleague Ali Sammoudi came from the Israeli security forces and not from indiscriminate fire from armed Palestinians as initially claimed by the Israeli authorities,” said a spokeswoman for the High Commission Ravina Shamdasani, during a briefing. press in Geneva.
“We found no information to suggest that there was any activity by armed Palestinians near the journalists,” Mr.me Shamdasani, saying it was “deeply disturbing that the Israeli authorities did not open a judicial investigation”.
In recent weeks, journalistic investigations have also pointed in the direction of the Israeli army.
It quickly responded on Friday and rejected the UN version by almost copying and pasting its previous press releases and the Israeli Minister of Defense, Benny Gantz speaks of an “unfounded” investigation.
Qatari Al Jazeera TV reporter ‘was not intentionally shot by an Israeli soldier and it is impossible to determine whether she was killed by a Palestinian gunman firing indiscriminately into the area where she was, or inadvertently by an Israeli soldier,” the army said in a statement.
Visible, marked press
“In accordance with our global human rights monitoring methodology, our Office inspected photo, video and audio material, visited locations, consulted with experts, reviewed official communications and interviewed witnesses. “Said the spokesperson for the High Commission.
On the basis of these elements, the services of Mme Bachelet concluded that the journalists chose an approach “making them visible to Israeli forces deployed in the streets”.
“Our findings indicate that no warnings were issued and no shootings were taking place at this time and place,” Mr.me Shamdasani, indicating that the journalists wore clearly marked protective equipment.
It was then that several shots from the Israeli forces targeted them, she said.
Benny Gantz disputes and affirms that the army “was the target of heavy fire during the events which led to the death of Mr.me Shireen, and responded appropriately.”
“So what will happen now? “How many reports do we need to hold them accountable?” asked the journalist’s niece, Lina Abu Akleh, on tweeter, referring to the Israeli authorities.
The Israeli army reiterated on Friday its request to the Palestinian Authority to hand over the fatal bullet. This is the only way she can really determine who fired.
According to the Palestinian prosecutor, it is a 556 mm caliber bullet fired by a Ruger Mini-14 semi-automatic rifle.
The Palestinian Authority has always refused to return the bullet and asked the Israelis to hand over the weapon instead.
Criminal investigation
The journalist was wearing a bulletproof jacket with the word “press” written on it and a protective helmet when she was hit by a bullet just below the cut of her helmet. She was on the outskirts of the Jenin refugee camp, a stronghold of Palestinian armed factions where Israeli forces were carrying out a raid.
Mme Bachelet “continues to urge the Israeli authorities to open a criminal investigation into the murder of Mr.me Abu Akleh and all other killings and serious injuries committed by Israeli forces in the West Bank and in the context of law enforcement operations in Gaza”.
According to the High Commission, since the beginning of 2022, Israeli security forces have killed 58 Palestinians in the West Bank, including 13 children.
“International human rights law requires a prompt, thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation into any use of force resulting in death or serious injury. The perpetrators must be held accountable,” Mr.me Shamdasani.