A United Nations (UN) commission says it has identified the Israeli commander and military unit it believes is likely responsible for the murder of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the occupied West Bank last year.
Abu Akleh, an experienced and respected journalist for Al Jazeera, was shot while covering an early morning raid by Israeli forces against militants in the city of Jenin in May 2022.
Navi Pillay, chairman of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry into the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, said on Tuesday (24) that an investigation concluded that Israeli security forces (the IDF) “used force lethal without justification under international human rights law, and intentionally or recklessly violated the right to life of Shireen Abu Akleh.”
See also: Reuters journalist killed in southern Lebanon
After forensic analysis and expert testimony, the commission believes the fatal shot was likely fired by a soldier belonging to the Duvdevan unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), she said.
“We have not named the commander, but we have this information,” he added.
In May, the IDF apologized for Abu Akleh’s death, after admitting last year that there was a “strong possibility” she was shot by an Israeli soldier.
What the West Bank says
Navi Pillay said the commission’s investigation noted an increase in operations by Israeli forces targeting armed Palestinian groups in the occupied West Bank, with some operations “appearing to involve the use of unnecessary and disproportionate force.”
She also said Israel treated the major strikes as military rather than law enforcement operations, “resulting in the application of much more permissible rules of engagement in violation of international law.”
Israel insists it targets terrorist groups in the West Bank who have carried out, or plan to carry out, attacks against Israelis, and says it always acts within international law.
Source: CNN Brasil
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