A new documentary titled Who Killed Shireen? has unveiled the identity of the Israeli soldier responsible for the fatal shooting of veteran Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May 2022. Produced by Washington, DC-based media company Zeteo, the 40-minute film also explores alleged efforts by both Israeli and U.S. authorities to suppress the truth and evade accountability for her death .

Identifying the Soldier Who Killed Shireen

The documentary identifies the shooter as a 20-year-old Israeli soldier on his first combat tour in the occupied West Bank. This revelation challenges the Israeli military’s longstanding refusal to disclose the shooter’s identity and raises questions about the transparency of their internal investigations. Executive producer Dion Nissenbaum stated that the filmmakers aimed to uncover the truth behind Abu Akleh’s killing, a secret closely guarded by Israel until now. He expressed hope that the findings would prompt further investigations by the U.S. .

Allegations of a Cover-Up

The film alleges that both Israeli and U.S. authorities attempted to cover up the circumstances surrounding Abu Akleh’s death. According to Nissenbaum, the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden had initially concluded that an Israeli soldier intentionally targeted Abu Akleh, but this conclusion was later overruled internally. He emphasized that the documentary presents concerning evidence suggesting that both governments allowed the soldier to avoid accountability.

The Incident and Its Aftermath

On May 11, 2022, Shireen Abu Akleh was covering an Israeli military raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank when she was shot in the head. She was wearing a helmet and a clearly marked press vest at the time. The Al Jazeera Media Network condemned the act as a “cold-blooded assassination.” Subsequent investigations by news agencies, human rights groups, and the United Nations concluded that Abu Akleh was likely deliberately killed by Israeli soldiers.

Initially, Israel suggested that Palestinian fighters might have been responsible for the journalist’s death. However, the Israeli military later acknowledged that its troops were likely responsible, describing the incident as an “accident.” Despite this admission, Israel’s military announced that it would not launch criminal proceedings against the soldiers involved. The U.S. subsequently dropped its request for an Israeli criminal investigation following Israel’s apology.

Calls for Justice and Accountability

The documentary features exclusive interviews with former U.S. and Israeli officials, soldiers, and journalists who knew Abu Akleh personally. Her brother, Anton Abu Akleh, described the film as “really important” for the family, expressing hope that it would shed more light on the circumstances of her death and prove that she was systematically targeted by the Israeli army, similar to other journalists in Palestine.

The release of Who Killed Shireen? has reignited calls for justice and accountability in the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh. Advocates urge international bodies to take concrete steps to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that press freedom is protected in conflict zones

Israeli Airstrikes Gaza Starvation Crisis Kills 31 Civilians

‘Who killed Shireen’ documentary