Israel Responds To The UN: Palestinian Authority Must Deliver The Bullet That Hit Shireen

By Arutz-7
Posted on 06/24/22 | News Source: Arutz-7

Following the statement made by the United Nations Human Rights Office, the IDF once again reiterates its call to the Palestinians to share access to the bullet with which the Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed.

"The Palestinian Authority cooperates with Israel on investigations from time to time", the IDF statement read, "The Palestinians' refusal to transfer the bullet and hold a joint investigation with American representation is telling of their motives".

"It should be noted that this was an operational event during which an exchange of fire occurred between IDF soldiers and Palestinian gunmen during counterterrorism activities in Jenin", the IDF notes.

In the IDF statement it is emphasized that ever since the incident, the IDF has been investigating and reviewing the circumstances of Shireen Abu Akleh’s death. "The IDF investigation clearly concludes that Ms. Abu Akleh was not intentionally shot by an IDF soldier and that it is not possible to determine whether she was killed by a Palestinian gunman shooting indiscriminately in her area or inadvertently by an IDF soldier".

"The IDF regrets harm to non-combatants", the statement continues, "including during exchanges of fire and active combat situations, and is heavily invested in maintaining the movement and freedom of the press. The IDF will continue to pursue the truth and investigate this tragic event".

The UN report reads: " All information we have gathered – including official information from the Israeli military and the Palestinian Attorney-General – is consistent with the finding that the shots that killed Abu Akleh and injured her colleague Ali Sammoudi came from Israeli Security Forces and not from indiscriminate firing by armed Palestinians, as initially claimed by Israeli authorities. We have found no information suggesting that there was activity by armed Palestinians in the immediate vicinity of the journalists."

"In accordance with our global human rights monitoring methodology, our Office inspected photo, video and audio material, visited the scene, consulted experts, reviewed official communications and interviewed witnesses."