Ramallah/Tel Aviv, May 12, (dpa/GNA) - International broadcaster Al Jazeera accused the Israeli military of murder on Wednesday following the death of its veteran reporter Shireen Abu Akleh in the northern West Bank city of Jenin during an Israeli army operation.

Israel said it would investigate the circumstances of Abu Akleh’s death.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initially said it was looking into the possibility that “Palestinian gunmen” were to blame.

But hours late IDF Chief of General Staff Aviv Kochavi appeared to soften that assertion, saying at present it could not be determined which side was responsible.

In a strongly-worded statement, Qatar-based Al Jazeera made clear it holds Israel responsible.

“In a blatant murder, violating international laws and norms, the Israeli occupation forces assassinated in cold blood Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Palestine, Shireen Abu Akleh.”

Abu Akleh was “conducting her journalistic duty, clearly wearing a press jacket that identifies her a journalist,” the statement continued.

“Al Jazeera Media Network condemns this heinous crime, which intends to only prevent the media from conducting their duty.”

The US embassy in Israel confirmed that the 51-year-old, a well-known journalist in the Arab world, was also a US citizen.

“We were deeply saddened to learn of the loss of American and Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh today in Jenin,” an embassy spokesperson said, calling for a “swift, thorough, and transparent investigation.”

“We call for an immediate and thorough investigation and full accountability,” US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price told reporters in a press briefing, saying that the US will rely on Israel to investigate.

Asked whether the US would support efforts by press and human rights organizations to have an international independent investigation into Abu Akleh’s death, Price said “Israel has the wherewithal and the capability to conduct a thorough, comprehensive investigation.”

The European Union condemned the shooting, EU foreign affairs spokesperson Peter Stano said in a statement and said that a “thorough, independent investigation” into the killing was essential to bring those responsible to justice.

A journalist from the Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds, Ali al-Samoudi, also suffered gunshot injuries in the Jenin incident, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Al-Samoudi claimed that he and other journalists had been deliberately shot at by Israeli troops.

The Israeli army said that soldiers had been deployed to Jenin to arrest terror suspects and that suspects fired at the troops and threw explosive devices.

The soldiers fired back, the IDF said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the incident an “execution.” The Islamist Hamas movement, which controls the Gaza Strip, condemned the killing “in the strongest terms,” calling it an “assassination.”

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the Palestinian accusations had no solid basis.

UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland condemned the killing and called for “an immediate and full investigation.” The US and Arab League also called for an investigation.

The Arab League blamed “Israeli bullets” for the journalist’s death.

Al Jazeera said that Abu Akleh, who came from East Jerusalem originally and had been working for Al Jazeera for over 20 years, was wearing a jacket clearly marked with the word “press” as she covered the raid.

Since late March, a wave of violence has seen 17 people killed in Israel. An Israeli security guard was also shot dead by Palestinians in the West Bank.

Israel’s army has intensified its operations in the occupied West Bank since the wave of attacks began, especially in Jenin, which is considered a stronghold of Palestinian militants.

Also on Wednesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli soldiers had shot and killed an 18-year-old Palestinian in the West Bank near Ramallah. The ministry did not provide any further details, and Israeli authorities did not comment.

Israeli military operations in the occupied territories often lead to serious confrontations with residents.

More than 20 Palestinians have been killed since the end of March, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Several were killed in military operations, while others died while carrying out attacks and during clashes with the army.

GNA

Ramallah/Tel Aviv, May 12, (dpa/GNA) - International broadcaster Al Jazeera accused the Israeli military of murder on Wednesday following the death of its veteran reporter Shireen Abu Akleh in the northern West Bank city of Jenin during an Israeli army operation.

Israel said it would investigate the circumstances of Abu Akleh’s death.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initially said it was looking into the possibility that “Palestinian gunmen” were to blame.

But hours late IDF Chief of General Staff Aviv Kochavi appeared to soften that assertion, saying at present it could not be determined which side was responsible.

In a strongly-worded statement, Qatar-based Al Jazeera made clear it holds Israel responsible.

“In a blatant murder, violating international laws and norms, the Israeli occupation forces assassinated in cold blood Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Palestine, Shireen Abu Akleh.”

Abu Akleh was “conducting her journalistic duty, clearly wearing a press jacket that identifies her a journalist,” the statement continued.

“Al Jazeera Media Network condemns this heinous crime, which intends to only prevent the media from conducting their duty.”

The US embassy in Israel confirmed that the 51-year-old, a well-known journalist in the Arab world, was also a US citizen.

“We were deeply saddened to learn of the loss of American and Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh today in Jenin,” an embassy spokesperson said, calling for a “swift, thorough, and transparent investigation.”

“We call for an immediate and thorough investigation and full accountability,” US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price told reporters in a press briefing, saying that the US will rely on Israel to investigate.

Asked whether the US would support efforts by press and human rights organizations to have an international independent investigation into Abu Akleh’s death, Price said “Israel has the wherewithal and the capability to conduct a thorough, comprehensive investigation.”

The European Union condemned the shooting, EU foreign affairs spokesperson Peter Stano said in a statement and said that a “thorough, independent investigation” into the killing was essential to bring those responsible to justice.

A journalist from the Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds, Ali al-Samoudi, also suffered gunshot injuries in the Jenin incident, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Al-Samoudi claimed that he and other journalists had been deliberately shot at by Israeli troops.

The Israeli army said that soldiers had been deployed to Jenin to arrest terror suspects and that suspects fired at the troops and threw explosive devices.

The soldiers fired back, the IDF said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the incident an “execution.” The Islamist Hamas movement, which controls the Gaza Strip, condemned the killing “in the strongest terms,” calling it an “assassination.”

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the Palestinian accusations had no solid basis.

UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland condemned the killing and called for “an immediate and full investigation.” The US and Arab League also called for an investigation.

The Arab League blamed “Israeli bullets” for the journalist’s death.

Al Jazeera said that Abu Akleh, who came from East Jerusalem originally and had been working for Al Jazeera for over 20 years, was wearing a jacket clearly marked with the word “press” as she covered the raid.

Since late March, a wave of violence has seen 17 people killed in Israel. An Israeli security guard was also shot dead by Palestinians in the West Bank.

Israel’s army has intensified its operations in the occupied West Bank since the wave of attacks began, especially in Jenin, which is considered a stronghold of Palestinian militants.

Also on Wednesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli soldiers had shot and killed an 18-year-old Palestinian in the West Bank near Ramallah. The ministry did not provide any further details, and Israeli authorities did not comment.

Israeli military operations in the occupied territories often lead to serious confrontations with residents.

More than 20 Palestinians have been killed since the end of March, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Several were killed in military operations, while others died while carrying out attacks and during clashes with the army.

GNA

Ramallah/Tel Aviv, May 12, (dpa/GNA) - International broadcaster Al Jazeera accused the Israeli military of murder on Wednesday following the death of its veteran reporter Shireen Abu Akleh in the northern West Bank city of Jenin during an Israeli army operation.

Israel said it would investigate the circumstances of Abu Akleh’s death.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initially said it was looking into the possibility that “Palestinian gunmen” were to blame.

But hours late IDF Chief of General Staff Aviv Kochavi appeared to soften that assertion, saying at present it could not be determined which side was responsible.

In a strongly-worded statement, Qatar-based Al Jazeera made clear it holds Israel responsible.

“In a blatant murder, violating international laws and norms, the Israeli occupation forces assassinated in cold blood Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Palestine, Shireen Abu Akleh.”

Abu Akleh was “conducting her journalistic duty, clearly wearing a press jacket that identifies her a journalist,” the statement continued.

“Al Jazeera Media Network condemns this heinous crime, which intends to only prevent the media from conducting their duty.”

The US embassy in Israel confirmed that the 51-year-old, a well-known journalist in the Arab world, was also a US citizen.

“We were deeply saddened to learn of the loss of American and Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh today in Jenin,” an embassy spokesperson said, calling for a “swift, thorough, and transparent investigation.”

“We call for an immediate and thorough investigation and full accountability,” US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price told reporters in a press briefing, saying that the US will rely on Israel to investigate.

Asked whether the US would support efforts by press and human rights organizations to have an international independent investigation into Abu Akleh’s death, Price said “Israel has the wherewithal and the capability to conduct a thorough, comprehensive investigation.”

The European Union condemned the shooting, EU foreign affairs spokesperson Peter Stano said in a statement and said that a “thorough, independent investigation” into the killing was essential to bring those responsible to justice.

A journalist from the Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds, Ali al-Samoudi, also suffered gunshot injuries in the Jenin incident, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Al-Samoudi claimed that he and other journalists had been deliberately shot at by Israeli troops.

The Israeli army said that soldiers had been deployed to Jenin to arrest terror suspects and that suspects fired at the troops and threw explosive devices.

The soldiers fired back, the IDF said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the incident an “execution.” The Islamist Hamas movement, which controls the Gaza Strip, condemned the killing “in the strongest terms,” calling it an “assassination.”

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the Palestinian accusations had no solid basis.

UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland condemned the killing and called for “an immediate and full investigation.” The US and Arab League also called for an investigation.

The Arab League blamed “Israeli bullets” for the journalist’s death.

Al Jazeera said that Abu Akleh, who came from East Jerusalem originally and had been working for Al Jazeera for over 20 years, was wearing a jacket clearly marked with the word “press” as she covered the raid.

Since late March, a wave of violence has seen 17 people killed in Israel. An Israeli security guard was also shot dead by Palestinians in the West Bank.

Israel’s army has intensified its operations in the occupied West Bank since the wave of attacks began, especially in Jenin, which is considered a stronghold of Palestinian militants.

Also on Wednesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli soldiers had shot and killed an 18-year-old Palestinian in the West Bank near Ramallah. The ministry did not provide any further details, and Israeli authorities did not comment.

Israeli military operations in the occupied territories often lead to serious confrontations with residents.

More than 20 Palestinians have been killed since the end of March, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Several were killed in military operations, while others died while carrying out attacks and during clashes with the army.

GNA