On Wednesday, Israel’s defense minister said that preliminary findings from the military’s investigation into the shooting death of the Al Jazeera journalist indicate that she was not killed by Israeli forces.
Addressing the Knesset, Gantz said that “on the other hand, we have seen footage of indiscriminate shooting by Palestinian terrorists, which is likely to have hit the journalist.” However, he emphasized that the investigation into the tragic event was ongoing.
Israel’s counter-terror raid in Jenin on Wednesday cannot be seen as an isolated event, but rather, the result of a violent wave of Palestinian terrorism that has raged in Israeli cities in the past month, which has resulted in the murder of 19 people. Many of the terrorists came from the Jenin region.
The European Union ‘’strongly’’ condemned the killing of Palestinian-American journalist of Al-Jazeera, Shireen Abu Akleh, in Jenin, West Bank on Wednesday.
‘’It is essential that a thorough, independent investigation clarifies all the circumstances of these incidents as soon as possible and that those responsible are brought to justice,’’ said an EU foreign affairs spokesperson.
‘’It is unacceptable to target journalists while they perform their job. Journalists covering conflict situations must be ensured safety and protection at all times,’’ he said.
‘’Our condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues. Another journalist, Ali Al Samoud, has been wounded.’’
‘’The European Union stands in solidarity with journalists and will continue to support their fundamental work, in particular while covering conflicts. Just days after the World Press Freedom Day, the European Union recalls the crucial role played by journalists, media workers and free and independent media,’’ the spokesperson said.
Preliminary investigation indicates Al Jazeera wasn’t killed by IDF fire
On Wednesday, Israel’s defense minister said that preliminary findings from the military’s investigation into the shooting death of the Al Jazeera journalist indicate that she was not killed by Israeli forces.
Addressing the Knesset, Gantz said that “on the other hand, we have seen footage of indiscriminate shooting by Palestinian terrorists, which is likely to have hit the journalist.” However, he emphasized that the investigation into the tragic event was ongoing.
Shireen Abu Akleh was shot in the head while covering an Israeli counter-terror raid in Jenin, according to Al Jazeera. The Qatar-based outlet attributed her killing to the Israeli Defense Forces.
“I would like to express my sorrow at the loss of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh,” said Gantz. “The State of Israel values the protection of human life above all, as well as freedom of press. IDF troops would never intentionally harm members of the press, and any attempt to imply otherwise is baseless.”
“We have also communicated with additional countries and officials, including Qatar, where Al Jazeera headquarters are based. We expressed that the findings at this time indicate that there is a reasonable chance that the journalist was shot by Palestinian armed terrorists. This being said, we will conduct an in-depth and comprehensive investigation and deliver our findings to them,” he said.
Gantz also expressed his support for “our defense forces and to all the units that work solely to maintain our security and to reflect the truth,” adding, “We will communicate our findings in a clear and transparent manner to our American friends, as well as to the Palestinian Authority.”
In a message to P.A. chairman Mahmoud Abbas earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli Defense Minister said, “Our responsibility as leaders is to maintain security, to conduct ourselves in a way that will prevent further violence and bloodshed and to uncover the truth.”
In the Knesset, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also addressed the Jenin events. ‘’Last night, IDF forces conducted an extensive operation in northern Samaria, as part of the efforts of the State of Israel to stop the deadly wave of terrorism. During the engagement, armed Palestinians shot in an inaccurate, indiscriminate and uncontrolled manner. Our forces from the IDF returned fire as accurately, carefully and responsibly as possible,’’ he said.
He continued, ‘’sadly, Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed in the exchange. The Palestinian Authority rushed to blame Israel for her death, and the president of the PA made unfounded accusations against Israel before any investigation had been carried out.’’
‘’Based on preliminary information that we have, there is a significant possibility that the journalist was shot by the armed Palestinians. However, to uncover the truth, there must be a real investigation, and the Palestinians are currently preventing that. Without a serious investigation, we will not reach the truth,’’ said Bennett.
Israel has called on the Palestinian Authority to conduct a joint forensic analysis based on all the documentation and findings available in order to uncover the truth.
‘’The Palestinians are refusing, and I expect them to cooperate and refrain from any actions that may contaminate the investigation,’’ the Prime Minister said, adding that ‘’one understand the broader context surrounding the event in Jenin’’. ‘’For two months, Israel’s citizens have been subject to a series of deadly terrorist attacks. Palestinian terrorists carry out premeditated attacks to murder Israelis. Last night’s action in Jenin is part of a series of counterterrorism efforts meant to put an end to the wave of terrorism and restore security to Israeli citizens.’’
Israel’s counter-terror raid in Jenin on Wednesday cannot be seen as an isolated event, but rather, the result of a violent wave of Palestinian terrorism that has raged in Israeli cities in the past month, which has resulted in the murder of 19 people.
Many of the worst attacks, such as the March 28 Bnei Brak shooting spree targeting civilians, the April 7 attack by a terrorist gunman at a Tel Aviv bar and the deadly May 5 ax rampage through Elad by a two-man terror cell, were committed by people from the Jenin area.
The raid on Jenin was part of that effort, and the objective was to arrest a Hamas member who was planning new attacks. A number of Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives were also taken into custody.
