The Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched a probe into the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May, with Israel immediately rejecting cooperation with the inquiry.
"I made it clear to the American representatives that we stand behind the IDF's soldiers, that we will not cooperate with any external investigation and we will not allow interference in Israel's internal affairs," Defense Minister Benny Gantz said, adding that the decision to investigate "the unfortunate death of Shireen Abu Akleh is a grave mistake."
He noted that the IDF conducted its own investigation into the death of Abu Akleh, who was killed during a firefight between Israeli forces and Palestinian gunmen in Jenin, and that those findings were shared with the US administration.
The military stated at the time that although there was a high probability of Abu Akleh having been accidentally hit by IDF gunfire it was not possible to unequivocally determine its source. It also added that the fire was directed toward suspects identified as armed Palestinian gunmen during an exchange of fire in which life-risking, widespread and indiscriminate fire was directed toward IDF soldiers.
