The New Arab's live coverage of the aftermath of the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh concludes for the day.
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Live updates: Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh killed by Israeli forces in Jenin
Live updates: Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh killed by Israeli forces in Jenin
The New Arab is providing the latest developments and reactions to the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, the veteran Al Jazeera journalist shot dead by Israeli forces while reporting from Jenin on Wednesday.
6 min read
Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead on Wednesday morning by Israeli forces while reporting on an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank town of Jenin, the television network has said.
Palestinian reporters at the scene said they had been fired at by Israeli forces, and saw Abu Akleh fall to the ground after being shot. The Palestinian health ministry said Abu Akleh died after being shot in the head.
Al Jazeera squarely placed blame for her death on Israeli forces.
"In a tragic murder... the Israeli occupation forces assassinated our Palestine correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh in cold blood," the Qatari network said in a statement released Wednesday.
Al Jazeera said Abu Akleh was wearing a helmet and flak jacket with 'Press' written across its chest.
Qatari and Palestinian officials have condemned Israel for the murder, while journalists and officials worldwide have expressed sadness and outrage over Abu Akleh's death.
Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett claimed it was "likely" Palestinian gunfire that killed Abu Akleh. Israel's foreign minister Yair Lapid described Abu Akleh's death as "sad".
Abu Akleh, who had been working as a reporter for decades, was and a household name for many in the Arab world. She was hailed as a role model for Arab women journalists.
The New Arab is providing the latest developments and reactions to the death of Shireen Abu Akleh.
Follow Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more updates.
Main image credit: Shireen Abu Akleh on Twitter
6:00 PM
4:15 PM
Israeli army backtracks on blame for Abu Akleh killing
The Israeli military appears to have backtracked from its original position on the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh.
The army and some Israeli officials had initially said that Abu Akleh was "likely" killed by Palestinian fire - despite several eyewitnesses stating that the Al Jazeera journalist had been killed by Israeli sniper gunfire.
Army chief of staff General Aviv Kochavi visited Jenin on Wednesday to meet with army personnel.
He said an investigation team had been set up to probe Abu Akleh's killing.
"At this stage it is not possible to determine whose fire she was hit by," Kochavi reportedly said.
3:35 PM
Al Jazeera staff hold on-air minute of silence for Shireen Abu Akleh
Al Jazeera's Arabic television channel stopped its live programming for a minute of silence to remember slain Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Staff observed the minute of silence standing in the studio with pictures of Abu Akleh in hand.
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3:00 PM
NGOs worldwide call for Shireen Abu Akleh killing probe
Press freedom and human rights groups worldwide have called for an investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh.
Read more: NGOs urge investigation into killing of Shireen Abu Akleh
12:55 PM
Israeli police 'storm home' of slain journalist's family
Israeli police stormed the home of Shireen Abu Akleh on Wednesday as mourners gathered to pay their respects, the Palestinian Authority's WAFA news agency reported.
Local journalist Rafi Ghattas, who had been at the house, told The New Arab: "There aren’t any protests happening, there aren’t any riots… We are here as the family, as journalists, as neighbours, to mourn."
Read more: Israeli forces storm slain reporter Shireen Abu Akleh's home
12:05 PM
BBC's John Simpson 'appalled' by Abu Akleh killing
Veteran BBC journalist John Simpson has said he is "appalled" at the killing of reporter Shireen Abu Akleh and cast doubt on Israeli claims that she was killed by Palestinian fire.
"Appalled by the killing of the excellent Shireen Abu Akleh of @AlJazeera, while covering a raid by Israeli security forces on a West Bank refugee camp," Simpson said on Twitter.
"Many journalists will question the Israeli claim that she died from Palestinian fire."
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Israeli officials have claimed it is "likely" that Abu Akleh was killed by Palestinian fire - despite multiple eyewitnesses saying otherwise.
Related: Journalists react to Israel's killing of Shireen Abu Akleh
11:45 AM
Journalist injured by Israeli fire recalls moment Abu Akleh was shot
A journalist fired at by Israeli forces along with Shireen Abu Akleh has recalled the moment his colleague was fatally shot.
Ali al-Samudi was rushed to hospital for treatment for injuries after being shot by Israeli forces.
"We were going in to film the Israeli raid, then they started shooting at us," al-Samudi said, dressed in a hospital gown.
"They didn't ask us to leave, or to stop. They shot at us. One bullet hit me, and the other bullet hit Shireen."
"They killed her in cold blood."
11:20 AM
Jordan foreign ministry: Abu Akleh killing a 'heinous crime'
Jordan's foreign ministry has condemned the killing of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Abu Akleh was shot in the head by Israeli forces while reporting in Jenin on Wednesday.
"The killing of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Aqila in occupied Jenin is a heinous crime and a flagrant attack on freedom of the press," the statement from the foreign ministry read.
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The ministry called for "an immediate investigation into that leads to accountability for the perpetrators of this crime".
The ministry did not say who committed the killing, though it did say it took place in "occupied Jenin".
10:50 AM
Palestine public prosecution says will take Abu Akleh killing to ICC
Palestine's public prosecution has said it will refer investigations over the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh by Israeli forces to the International Criminal Court.
The prosecution said in a statement that it had begun its own investigations into the killing in preparation for the referral, Qatari state media reported.
10:15 AM
US ambassador to Israel confirms Abu Akleh was US citizen, calls for 'thorough investigation'
"Very sad to learn of the death of American and Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh of @AJArabic @AJEnglish," US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said on Twitter.
"I encourage a thorough investigation into the circumstances of her death and the injury of at least one other journalist today in Jenin."
9:45 AM
Qatari official calls for end to Israeli 'state-sponsored terrorism' after Abu Akleh killing
Qatar's deputy foreign minister has called for an end to Israeli "state-sponsored terrorism" after Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed by Israeli forces while covering a raid in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday morning.
"Israeli occupation killed Aljazeera journalist Sherine Abu Aqleh by shooting her in the face while wearing the Press vest and a helmet," deputy FM Lowlah al-Kahter said on Twitter.
"This state sponsored Israeli terrorism must STOP, unconditional support to Israel must END."
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Read more: Qatar slams 'horrific' Israeli assassination of journalist
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