FBI opens probe into Shireen Abu Akleh killing, Israel vows non-cooperation

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has opened an investigation into the killing of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Israel confirmed on Monday.

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz condemned the probe as a “grave mistake” on Twitter, vowing that Israel "won't cooperate with any external investigation."

Palestinian officials, Abu Akleh’s family and Al Jazeera accuse Israel of intentionally targeting and killing the 51-year-old journalist, a US citizen who was wearing a helmet and a protective vest marked with the word 'press' when she was shot last May in the occupied West Bank.

The decision taken by the US Justice Department to conduct an investigation into the tragic passing of Shireen Abu Akleh, is a mistake. The IDF has conducted a professional, independent investigation, which was presented to American officials with whom the details were shared.

— בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) November 14, 2022

Israel initially denied responsibility, claiming that Palestinian fighters had shot the veteran journalist. In September, Israel conceded that Abu Akleh had likely been shot by one of its soldiers.

Six months on from the killing, no individual has been held responsible.

Last week, Abu Akleh's family attended a rare public hearing at the UN in Geneva, where they told investigators that she was deliberately targeted as part of Israel's "wide-scale war" on Palestinian media workers.

The hearings are being hosted by the Commission of Inquiry (COI) created by the UN Human Rights Council last year to probe the root causes of the decades-long Middle East conflict.

Abu Akleh's family have also called for an independent investigation into the killing, calling on the International Court of Justice.

Israel says it has conducted its own investigation, however no action has been taken against any Israeli soldier.

Israeli military investigations have long drawn criticism from rights groups and Palestinians who charge that they are not independent or effective, citing a low indictment rate.