Israeli Soldier Intentionally Killed Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh: US Colonel

A retired American colonel who investigated the 2022 killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh says he is certain an Israeli soldier deliberately shot her.

Colonel Steve Gabavics, a 30-year military veteran and former Guantanamo Bay commander, told The New York Times that the soldier responsible aimed directly at Abu Akleh.

The 51-year-old reporter was killed on May 11, 2022, while covering clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian fighters in the Jenin refugee camp. She was wearing a vest marked “Press” and a helmet at the time. Another journalist, Ali Samoudi, was shot in the back but survived.

Initially, the Israeli military blamed Palestinian fighters. Later, it said a soldier “misidentified” her, but Gabavics claims US officials softened their report to avoid diplomatic tension with Israel.

Gabavics said the positioning of Israeli forces, radio communications, and the accuracy of the shots show that Abu Akleh was intentionally targeted. He argued that soldiers were aware journalists were present and could see their “Press” markings.

Some officials disagreed. Lieutenant General Michael Fenzel, Gabavics’s superior, said there was not enough evidence to prove the shooting was intentional.

A documentary earlier this year identified Captain Alon Scagio, a 20-year-old Israeli sniper, as the suspected shooter. Scagio was later killed by an explosive device in Jenin in 2023 at age 22.

Abu Akleh’s killing drew international condemnation from governments, human rights organizations, and media groups.