When Shireen Abu Akleh, a well-known Palestinian American journalist, was fatally shot in 2022 in the West Bank, initial claims from Israeli officials suggested she had been hit by Palestinian fire. However, the narrative shifted months later, as the Israeli military acknowledged that an Israeli soldier was likely responsible for her death, without disclosing the soldier's identity.
Now, three years later, a documentary produced by Zeteo News claims to have uncovered the shooter's identity, naming Capt. Alon Scagio, who was part of an elite commando unit at the time. This assertion is backed by a fellow squad member, prompting confirmations from two unnamed Israeli military officials.
In response to inquiries from The New York Times, the military maintained that there had been “no definitive determination” regarding the shooter, although they relayed a request from Scagio’s family urging media not to publish his name.
Shireen Abu Akleh, an esteemed reporter with Al Jazeera, was a prominent figure in the Middle Eastern media landscape. Her tragic passing triggered widespread mourning and ignited significant global scrutiny regarding Israel's policies in the West Bank. Moreover, her American citizenship led the Biden administration to express particular concern, which strained relations between the U.S. and Israel.
Protests began soon after her death, with demonstrators calling attention to the issues of press freedom and accountability in occupied territories.
