The Israeli army admitted for The first time on Monday it’s likely one of that it soldiers Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Okla was shot after he thought she was wrong for fighter.
“There is a good chance that Mrs. Abu Okla is a coincidence hit by Israeli army fire that was fired at suspects identified as Palestinian militants.” final Investigation report on her on May 11 death.
Acknowledgment comes months later in Which the army insisted on the impossibility of determining the source of The deadly Which led to the murder of the famous Al Jazeera journalist in In the occupied West Bank, saying it may have been a hardliner fire.
“Our conclusion is that it is not so possible To unequivocally identify the shooting who killed her, but there higher Chances are it was hit wrong shot of IDF soldier who You didn’t know her as a journalist senior Israeli military officer said.
He was Abu Okla wearing A flak jacket with the word “pressure” on it and a helmet when shot in The head During an IDF operation.
He was the father of his mind family He said Israel “refused to take responsibility.” for The murder” of journalist, in A press release was issued in waking up of Army report.
“we remain Deeply painful, frustrating and disappointed.” family he said praying for A “credible” US investigation.
The Palestinian Authority accused Israel of intentionally killing correspondent in Jenin refugee camp, in northern West Bank, while Israel insisted that even if a soldier opened fire fatal Shot was not intentional.
‘a call for accountability”
Monday , senior An army officer told reporters that soldiers It was heavy fire Aiming at hit Abu Okla because they missed her for Palestinian fighter.
When they shot in to her direction they did not know She was a journalist, she was mistakeThey thought they were firing “The terrorists are shooting at them,” the officer said.
“He’s so sorry,” said the officer, “and I’m so sorry for that too.” of soldier who shot in The direction of Abu his mind.
“He didn’t do that on Purpose, it’s totally clear,” he is added.
But the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists was critical of Army report.
her ‘acceptance of Feelings of guilt are delayed and incomplete. They did not provide any name for The killer of Sherine Abu Aqla and no one else information From his own testimony that killing It was a mistake, said Sherif Mansour, Middle East and North Africa at the Committee to Protect Journalists. program coordinator.
Israeli rights group B’Tselem – activist against He denounced the Israeli settlement expansion in the army report, describing it as a “whitewash”. The killing it was ‘No’ mistakethat it policy,” He Said.
The UN investigation has ended in Jun that “there is no evidence of by Palestinian gunmen nearby, “when Abu Okla was shot.
United State on He said July 4 it was likely she was shot by Israeli fire fire But there was no evidence of it killing It was intentional and the bullet was too damaged for conclusive result.
The American statement angered Abu Aqla family and Palestinian leaders who Washington accused of failed in pursuit accountability From Israel over The killing of journalist, who also Holds US citizenship.
“We are continuing to call for accountability And the for justice for Sherine said, “Lina Abu Okla, the journalist’s niece in Washington after meeting with the US Secretary of State of State of Anthony Blinken.
In May, Israel military advocate He said there is no doubt of criminal activity since event took place in a active combat region.
The military advocate Monday said that the conditions of The incident is ‘not suspicious of a crime It has been adhered to, which justifies the opening of a criminal Investigation.”
