Straight Talk

Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh killed while covering Israeli Defence Forces raid on Jenin

by Charlie Smith on May 11th, 2022 at 6:55 AM
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      One of the most famous Arabic-speaking journalists in the world has died.

      Veteran Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh was 51 years old.

      She was killed while covering an Israeli Defence Forces raid on Jenin in the occupied West Bank. 

      Al Jazeera has held Israel responsible, alleging that the Jerusalem-born Akleh was "assassinated in cold blood".

      Moreover, the network claims that she was targeted with live fire while clearly wearing a press jacket that identified her as a journalist.

      "Al Jazeera Media Network condemns this heinous crime, which intends to only prevent the media from conducting their duty," the Qatar-based media outlet declared. "Al Jazeera holds the Israeli government and the occupation forces responsible for the killing of Shireen. It also calls on the international community to condemn and hold the Israeli occupation forces accountable for their intentional targeting and killing of Shireen."

      An Al Jazeera producer, Ali al-Samudi, is undergoing treatment after being "shot in the back while covering the same event", the network stated.

      Akleh was an icon to many women in the Arabic-speaking world for her fearless reporting.

      "Al Jazeera extends its sincere condolences to the family of Shireen in Palestine, and to her extended family around the world, and we pledge to prosecute the perpetrators legally, no matter how hard they try to cover up their crime, and bring them to justice."

      Over Twitter, the Israeli Defence Forces described "counterterrorism activity to apprehend terrorist suspects in the Jenin Refugee Camp".

      "During the activity, tens of Palestinian gunmen fired at and hurled explosive devices toward the soldiers," the IDF stated. "The soldiers responded with fire toward the gunmen and hits were identified".

      The IDF also stated that it was "looking into the possibility that journalists were hit by the Palestinian gunmen".

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