US top diplomat urges Israel to conclude Abu Akleh investigation

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel on Friday to conclude its inquiry into the murder of veteran journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

Blinken "underscored the importance of concluding the investigations into the death of Palestinian-American Shireen Abu Akleh" during a call with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

Abu Akleh, a 51-year-old reporter for Al Jazeera, was killed May 11 while reporting on an Israeli raid in Jenin, a city in the occupied West Bank.

Eyewitnesses and her employer maintained she was killed by Israeli forces.

A Palestinian investigation concluded on Thursday that Abu Akleh was intentionally killed by an Israeli sniper.

"An Israeli sniper directly fired a bullet at AbuAkleh’s head while she was trying to escape, although she was wearing a helmet and a vest that was clearly marked with the word ‘PRESS,’” Palestinian attorney general Akram Al-Khatib said Thursday.

Al-Khatib noted that other journalists who were accompanying Abu Akleh were also "deliberately" targeted by gunfire.

He said the bullet that killed the Palestinian journalist had general and specific markings that match a Mini Ruger semi-automatic sniper weapon.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera announced that it will send Abu Akleh’s murder case to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"The Network vows to follow every path to achieve justice for Shireen, and ensure those responsible for her killing are brought to justice and held accountable in all international justice and legal platforms and courts," it said on its website.

Blinken and Lapid also discussed "the importance of Israelis and Palestinians working to maintain calm," Price said.

"They also spoke of common efforts to confront global challenges, including those posed by Iran and its proxies. Secretary Blinken reiterated the Administration’s steadfast commitment to Israel’s security and emphasized U.S. support for a negotiated two-state solution," he added.