USA27 October, 20252 min read
Israel Intentionally Kills Palestinian American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, US Officials Cover Up Murder
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Retired US Colonel Steve Gabavics concluded Israeli forces deliberately shot Shireen Abu Akleh. US government reports minimized evidence and softened conclusions to avoid blaming Israel.
8 outlets told this the same way.
Controversy Over Journalist's Death
Multiple outlets report new claims by retired U.S. military investigator Steve Gabavics that the United States downplayed findings about the 2022 killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Truthout quotes Gabavics alleging his superiors suppressed evidence indicating Israeli soldiers intentionally killed Abu Akleh. Israeli outlets recount Israel’s official position that she was most likely misidentified and shot by an Israeli soldier after initially blaming Palestinian gunmen.
“Steve Gabavics... revealed that his superiors suppressed evidence showing Israeli soldiers intentionally killed Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022.”
A Zeteo News documentary is cited as naming the suspected shooter, Alon Scagio. Several sources note the FBI opened an investigation that still has not produced public findings. The coverage collectively underscores deep disputes over intent, process, and accountability nearly three years after the killing.
Investigation into Abu Akleh Shooting
Several sources detail the evidence and internal disputes surrounding the shooting of Abu Akleh.
Truthout reports that Gabavics’s investigation cited Israeli military communications, sniper positioning, and simulations showing Abu Akleh’s clearly marked “Press” vest to argue the shooting was deliberate.
GV Wire states that the U.S. security coordinator’s office downplayed the findings and had internal disagreements about the intent behind the shooting.
Israel Hayom adds that Gabavics’s evidence and conclusions clashed with a cautious State Department narrative led by Michael R. Fenzel.
i24NEWS notes that Zeteo’s documentary identified the suspected shooter as Alon Scagio, a Duvdevan sniper, while maintaining Israel’s stance that the killing was a misidentification.
Diverging Views on Shooting Intent
On the question of intent, the sources diverge sharply. Truthout reports Gabavics’s conclusion that the shooting was intentional, backed by communications and simulations. Israeli outlets maintain Israel’s public position that the shooting was an accidental misidentification.
“Steve Gabavics... revealed that his superiors suppressed evidence showing Israeli soldiers intentionally killed...”
West Asian coverage, such as PressTV, emphasizes the international condemnation and Israel’s later admission of likely accidental fire. Al Bawaba suggests that evidence points to the shooting possibly being intentional but notes that investigations have not confirmed this. Al Bawaba also relays Zeteo’s claim naming Scagio and a comrade’s account reported by The Guardian.
U.S. Response to Investigation
Coverage of a U.S. ‘cover-up’ varies across different sources.
Truthout reports that officials removed language implicating Israel to preserve military ties and that the Biden administration dismissed Gabavics’s findings in favor of Israel’s accidental account.
GV Wire similarly reports that the U.S. office downplayed findings to avoid upsetting Israel and describes internal clashes over intent.
Israel Hayom highlights bureaucratic sidelining by Michael R. Fenzel and says diplomatic pressures shaped the cautious narrative.
i24NEWS reports that Gabavics accused the Biden administration of downplaying the investigation to maintain U.S.-Israel relations.
Investigation and Accountability Updates
Accountability remains unsettled across the coverage. Truthout notes no accountability has been established and that the FBI’s 2022 probe has not released findings. Israel Hayom likewise says the FBI inquiry remains unresolved nearly three years later.
“An FBI investigation launched in 2022 has yet to release its findings.”
i24NEWS emphasizes that Abu Akleh was clearly marked as press when fatally shot and that Israel revised its account from blaming Palestinian gunmen to likely Israeli fire. Al Bawaba underscores that while evidence may suggest intent, investigations have not confirmed it. PressTV highlights widespread international condemnation and includes unrelated how‑to instructions, an unusual editorial addition that contrasts with the investigative focus of other outlets.
