New Evidence Suggests Journalist Was Killed in Targeted Attack by Israeli Forces

New evidence suggests American-Palestinian Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed in a targeted attack by Israeli forces. 

Eyewitness accounts, videos analysis by the Bellingcat research group support claims that the renowned reporter was killed by a bullet fired from an Israeli military gun. 

Abu Akleh was shot in the head while covering an Israeli raid at a West Bank refugee camp on May 11. She was wearing the standard bright blue press jacket, and had reported from similar raids many times. 

Interviews with eyewitnesses corroborate analysis conducted by Bellingcat research group, which is known for its investigation of war zones. The accounts and research indicate that Israeli forces were the ones close by to Abu Akleh, not Palestinian militants, and had a better line of sight. 

Audio and video analysis indicates that she was shot from a distance of about 200 meters. Israel has claimed that she could have been hit by Palestinian bullets, or an Israeli soldier returning fire at Palestinian militants. But the eyewitnesses and analyses indicate there were no armed Palestinians or clashes at all within her vicinity. 

This directly shatters statements made by Israeli military that it was an active combat zone, which is the reasoning being given to not launch a criminal investigation into her death. It also shatters the statements that it is unclear who fired the fatal shot, or trying to shift blame onto Palestinians. 

Videos, corroborated by testimony, forensic analyst, and explosive weapons experts, suggest that Abu Akleh was shot dead in a targeted attack by Israeli forces. 

The United States, United Nations Security Council and the international community have been calling for a transparent investigation into who killed Abu Akleh. There was immediate international outrage after news broke that she was killed. 

Abu Akleh was extremely well known and beloved across the region, making her a household name and quite a famous journalist. She was especially known for documenting the hardship of Palestinian life under Israeli rule.