Forensic testing of the bullet that killed journalist Shireen Abu Akleh could not determine who fired it, the American State Department has said.
In a statement released today, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said ballistic experts concluded that the bullet was too badly damaged to allow a “clear conclusion”.
An IDF investigation has meanwhile concluded that while the source of the fire that led to Ms Akleh’s death could not be determined, no Israeli soldier deliberately fired at the reporter.
The “extremely detailed” process was conducted by “independent, third party” examiners, but supervised by the US Security Coordinator (USSC), he added.
Gunfire from IDF positions was “likely responsible” for the death of Ms Akleh, however, the state department also claimed.
Drawing from their access to both Israeli and Palestinian investigations, the USSC concluded that the killing was not intentional but: “the result of tragic circumstances during an IDF-led military operation against factions of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.”
In a press release, the IDF said the USSC had received the bullet that was “alleged” to have killed Ms Akleh from Palestinian authorities.
They say: “A ballistic examination was conducted in a forensic laboratory in Israel. Israeli experts examined the bullet in order to determine the connection between the bullet and the weapon from which it was fired.
“USSC representatives were present throughout the entire process. Despite these efforts, the physical condition of the bullet and the quality of the characteristics on it do not enable a ballistic examination to conclusively determine whether or not the bullet was fired from the weapon which was examined.”
The projectile remained under the control of Lieutenant General Michael R. Fenzel until it was returned Sunday following the investigation’s conclusion, the IDF statement added.
Whether Israel’s Military Advocate General will launch a criminal investigation will be decided following the conclusion of the IDF’s examination.
Ms Akleh was shot and killed on the outskirts of Jenin refugee camp in early May of this year. The veteran Palestinian-American reporter was wearing a flack jacket marked ‘PRESS’ when she was hit.
At the time, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Israeli authorities were “fully responsible” for the Al-Jazeera correspondent’s death.
In a statement, Prime Minister of Israel Yair Lapid said: "The IDF investigation was unable to determine who is responsible for the tragic death of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, but it was able to determine conclusively that there was no intention to harm her. Israel expresses sorrow over her death.
"Tragically, hundreds of journalists have been killed in recent years in combat zones around the world. The State of Israel recognizes the importance of freedom of the press and safeguarding journalists as they carry out their duties.
"As Prime Minister of Israel, I give full and unequivocal backing to the IDF soldiers who risk their lives to defend the citizens of Israel from terrorism and who work around the clock for the security of Israel."
The statement by the US State Department comes just a week before President Biden's first visit to the Middle East as President. President Biden is set to meet senior Israeli politicians as well as visit Yad Vashem and the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
