What's happened
Colonel Steve Gabavics states that journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was deliberately targeted by Israeli soldiers, despite wearing a press vest. He claims evidence shows the shooting was intentional, contradicting official US and Israeli reports that suggested it was accidental. The story highlights ongoing debates over accountability.
What's behind the headline?
The claims by Colonel Gabavics reveal a significant divergence from official US and Israeli narratives. His assertion that the shooting was deliberate, supported by evidence such as Israeli radio traffic and the precision of the shots, indicates a potential cover-up or misrepresentation by authorities. The fact that Gabavics was sidelined after reporting his conclusions suggests internal disagreements within the US military and government. This story exposes the persistent challenge of accountability in conflict zones, especially when military and political interests intersect. The contradiction between the US’s public statement and Gabavics’s testimony could have long-term implications for US credibility and its diplomatic relations with Israel. The case underscores the importance of independent investigations and transparency in conflict-related deaths, especially involving journalists who serve as witnesses. Moving forward, this controversy may fuel calls for renewed, impartial inquiries and greater scrutiny of official narratives surrounding military actions in sensitive regions.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports Gabavics’s assertion that Abu Akleh was deliberately targeted, citing evidence such as her press vest and Israeli radio traffic aware of journalists’ presence. Al Jazeera’s coverage emphasizes the US government’s previous stance that the shooting was likely accidental, based on investigations and official statements. The Times of Israel highlights Gabavics’s detailed account, his military background, and the internal divisions within US military and government agencies over the incident. Both sources reveal a complex picture: while Israel admits a soldier was likely responsible, it claims the shooting was an accident, and the US initially echoed this, despite internal dissent. The recent revelations by Gabavics challenge the official narrative, suggesting a need for renewed scrutiny and transparency. The contrasting perspectives underscore the ongoing debate about accountability and the use of force in conflict zones, especially involving journalists and civilians.
How we got here
Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist, was killed on May 11, 2022, during clashes in Jenin. Initial Israeli claims blamed Palestinian gunmen, but investigations by various groups and later admissions by Israel indicated she was likely shot by IDF soldiers. The US government’s investigation concluded the shooting was probably accidental, but internal debates and new testimonies suggest it was intentional.
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Shireen Abu Akleh (Arabic: شيرين أبو عاقلة, romanized: Šīrīn Abū ʿĀqila; April 3, 1971 – May 11, 2022) was a prominent Palestinian-American journalist who worked as a reporter for 25 years for Al Jazeera, before she was killed by Isra
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