Shireen Abu Aqla: US releases result of test on bullet that killed reporter
by Ebor Cletus Ralph Jr
According to the US, it is impossible to determine with certainty whether Israeli or Palestinian ammunition was used to fire the bullet that killed a Palestinian-American journalist since it was so extensively damaged.
The US, however, came to the conclusion that Israeli soldiers had most likely but unintentionally fired the shot that struck Shireen Abu Aqla based on information from both sides.
The killing of the seasoned Al Jazeera correspondent shocked and infuriated many people.
Israel claims that it is still too early to assign culpability, while the Palestinians accuse it.
After initially insisting on Israel’s exclusion, the Palestinians on Saturday turned the bullet over to the US embassy in Jerusalem for inspection.
The bullet that killed Abu Aqla when she was covering an Israeli operation in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank, on May 11, during which Israeli forces engaged Palestinian gunmen, had been withheld by the Palestinians up until that point.
Israel had already claimed to have discovered the soldier’s rifle that may have fired the fatal shot. The military claimed on Monday that it was hard to determine due to the bullet’s condition.
Israel has also claimed that it cannot be ruled out that Palestinian insurgents shot Abu Aqla, despite the fact that the UN human rights office, as well as investigations conducted by journalists and eyewitnesses, found that Israeli forces were to blame.
The United States Security Co-ordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority were present for the bullet examination, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (USSC).
The US State Department stated that independent, third-party examiners “could not make a definite determination” as to which side fired the fatal shot following “very comprehensive forensic study [of the bullet]”.
Although “gunfire from IDF positions was certainly responsible,” it added, “the USSC found no basis to suspect that this was purposeful but rather the outcome of tragic circumstances.” Abu Aqla’s death was likely caused by IDF gunfire, it added.
Senior Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh reacted angrily to the statement, accusing the US of avoiding holding Israel responsible.
“We will not allow attempts to conceal the truth or to have shy references in pointing the finger of accusation to Israel,” he tweeted
abu aqla’s family said it was “incredulous” that the US could not determine which side had fired the bullet
