On Wednesday, 11 May 2022, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli security forces conducted counterterrorism activity to apprehend terrorist suspects in the Jenin Refugee Camp. This operation took place to foil further terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians that were planned and executed from Jenin. During the activity, dozens of Palestinian gunmen fired and hurled explosive devices at the Israeli forces. The soldiers responded with precision fire toward the gunmen.

Tragically, as a result of this exchange, Al Jazeera journalist Ms Shireen Abu Akleh was killed. According to the video that we have, Palestinians in Jenin were filmed boasting ‘We hit a soldier; he’s lying on the ground.’ (Click here for video.) However, no IDF soldier was injured. This increases the probability that the journalist was the one lying on the ground.

In order to get to the truth, Israel has called on the Palestinians to conduct a joint analysis and investigation. This would be based on all of the preliminary evidence, documentation and footage available. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has refused this request, and have said they will not allow Israel to examine the bullet that killed the journalist. The PA has also refused to allow an independent expert to participate in the investigation.

The IDF has launched its own investigation into the death. Israel remains committed to finding out the truth of this tragic incident. Israel is a liberal and vibrant democracy, and is committed to maintaining a free and fair press. We firmly believe that journalists must be protected at all times.

Israel will continue to act against terrorists targeting innocent civilians, and will continue to protect its citizens. We calls upon the international community to condemn any form of terrorist attacks.

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