In a shocking revelation, the New York Times reports that the official U.S. investigation into the killing of Palestinian‐American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was deliberately manipulated to align with the narrative of the Israeli government.
Investigation Undermined to Please Israel
According to the New York Times, senior U.S. investigators concluded that the killing of Abu Akleh was intentional. Yet, the final report released by the U.S. State Department stated that although the shot came from Israeli positions, it was not deliberate. The Times suggests that the discrepancy arose because the investigation was altered to avoid straining relations with Israel.
Former Guantánamo Commander Speaks Out
Colonel Steve Gabavics, a former U.S. Army officer and ex‐commander of the Guantánamo detention facility, publicly stated that the Biden Administration “manipulated facts for Israel’s benefit.” He served in a key U.S. security‐coordination role at the time of the incident and alleges that the Palestinian perspective was ignored in favour of Israeli interests.
The Killing of a Veteran Journalist
Shireen Abu Akleh, a longtime correspondent for Al Jazeera who had covered the Israeli–Palestinian conflict for more than two decades, was shot dead in May 2022 while covering a raid by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. Though she was wearing protective gear clearly marked “PRESS,” she was hit by a sniper’s bullet and died from her wound.
Evidence Suggests a Planned Operation
Colonel Gabavics described the scene: the Israeli sniper fired from a vehicle while visibly targeting journalists wearing blue press vests, then turned his sights on rescue personnel. “This was a planned operation, not a stray bullet,” he alleged. He also said that four other high‐ranking U.S. officials corroborated that the shooting was deliberate and that there had been internal resistance within the U.S. government to the official conclusion.
Investigations Stalled, Accountability Absent
Despite pressure from Congress, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened an investigation three years ago—yet no report has been released. In a controversial move, the bullet that killed Abu Akleh was transferred to Israel for analysis. These developments raise serious questions about why the U.S., despite what many believe to be irrefutable evidence, has refused to expose the perpetrators.
The Central Question
Why has the U.S., with access to clear evidence and internal disagreement within its own ranks, declined to hold those responsible for Shireen Abu Akleh’s killing to account? With this new confession from a former senior official, the demand for transparency and justice grows louder than ever.
From: Fars