JAKARTA - The United Nations (UN) revealed, based on the information it collected, the bullet that killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on May 11 was fired by Israeli forces.
"All the information we have gathered is consistent with the finding that the gunfire that killed Abu Akleh and wounded his colleague Ali Sammoudi, came from the Israeli security forces and not from indiscriminate fire by armed Palestinians," said UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) spokeswoman Ravina. Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva, Siwss, Friday, citing Al Jazeera June 24.
Shamdasani added that information collected by OHCHR had revealed there was no "activity by armed Palestinians in the vicinity of the journalists."
Shamdasani further said the OHCHR investigation showed Abu Akleh and his fellow journalists had made a concerted effort, to be seen as a member of the press for Israeli soldiers stationed further down the road.
"Journalists say they chose a side street for their approach, to avoid the location of the armed Palestinians inside the camp and they walked slowly, to make their presence visible to the Israeli forces deployed on the road," Shamdasani said.
"Our findings suggest that no warning was issued and no shooting occurred at that time and at that location."
"Several single bullets that appeared to be well-aimed were fired at them (the journalists) from the direction of the Israeli security forces," he added.
Shamdasani added that bullets continued to be fired at an unarmed man who tried to come to Abu Akleh's aid, as well as a journalist who was taking cover behind a tree.
Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli forces while he was covering an army raid in Jenin, in the northern occupied West Bank.
His assassination caused outrage from Palestinians and around the world, with thousands attending his funeral in occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli police attacked pallbearers at the cemetery, nearly causing Abu Akleh's coffin to fall to the ground.
Several witnesses said Israeli forces killed the veteran journalist. Investigations carried out by several media organizations also came to the same conclusion.
According to Shamdasani, OHCHR Chief Michelle Bachelet continues to urge Israeli authorities to open a criminal investigation into Abu Akleh's murder.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, initially tried to argue that Palestinian gunmen could have killed Abu Akleh. However, Israel later withdrew and said it did not rule out that an Israeli soldier had opened fire.
Israel has not concluded whether anyone will face criminal charges for the killing, and has not released the findings emerging from an internal investigation.
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