
Witnesses, Palestinian authorities and the news channel, where she reported for more than two decades, said she was shot dead by Israeli troops. Israeli officials say they have not determined who killed her. After initially saying Palestinian militants were “most likely” responsible, the army said it was investigating the possibility that one of its soldiers fired the shot.
The Qatar-based news network said in a statement on Thursday that it had assigned a legal team to take the case to court in The Hague and that the dossier would also include the Israeli strike on a skyscraper in the Strip. of Gaza housing the media offices. media, including Al Jazeera and the Associated Press last year – an attack that drew condemnation from media freedom advocates.
“The network is committed to pursuing all avenues to seek justice for Shireen and to ensuring that those responsible for her murder are brought to justice and held accountable before all international judicial and legal platforms and tribunals,” Al Jazeera added. .
Several witnesses previously interviewed by The Washington Post said there was no exchange of fire between the Israeli military and Palestinian gunmen when Abu Akleh was shot, despite Israeli claims that she had been caught in the crossfire.
Human rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the journalist’s death.
As part of an ongoing investigation, the ICC decided last year that it has jurisdiction to investigate alleged Israeli war crimes in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel in 1967, including the West Bank. Israel, which is not a member of the ICC, opposed the decision.
The Palestinian Authority has rejected requests to hand over the bullet that killed Abu Akleh to Israeli authorities and said it would share the report of its own investigation with US authorities and others. The State Department said this week that neither side has formally requested help, according to The Associated Press.
The Palestinian Authority announced the results of its investigation on Thursday, accusing Israeli forces of intentionally shooting the journalist, a charge that Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz called a “blatant lie”.
Abu Akleh’s funeral drew thousands of Palestinians to Jerusalem, with mourners hailing her as an icon. It also sparked outrage after Israeli police fired stun grenades and used batons to beat those carrying the coffin, which nearly fell to the ground. Jerusalem police said they would look into funeral arrangements.