Israeli forces storm home of slain Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh hours after 'cold-blooded' shooting

Israeli police stormed the home of Shireen Abu Akleh on Wednesday, hours after the Palestinian journalist was shot dead while reporting in the occupied West Bank.

Abu Akleh, a journalist for Al Jazeera, was shot in the head by Israeli forces while covering an army raid in the occupied West Bank town of Jenin on Wednesday morning. 

Hours later and Israeli police stormed her home in the occupied East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Beit Hanina as family and friends gathered to mourn her death, the Palestinian Authority's WAFA news agency reported.

The policemen were confronted by mourners, who pushed them out, WAFA said.

Local journalist Rafi Ghattas was at the house when the police, including a local commander, arrived.

“They asked for the Palestinian flag to be taken down, they told us that there shouldn’t be any gathering, there shouldn’t be any national songs or anthems playing,” Ghattas told The New Arab.

There has been a heavy police and security force presence in the neighbourhood for much of Wednesday, Ghattas said.

“There aren’t any protests happening, there aren’t any riots… We are here as the family, as journalists, as neighbours, to mourn.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Abu Akleh's body, draped in a Palestinian flag and a press flak jacket, was carried through Jenin in a funeral procession.

Her brutal killing has sparked sadness and outrage worldwide.