TIMELINE: Assassination of Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
Shireen Abu Akleh was a fearless journalist, a household name across the Arab world for her bold coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Abu Akleh — who worked with Al Jazeera for 25 years and considered the network her second family — provided a platform for Palestinian voices.
On May 11, 2022, Israeli forces IDF assassinated Abu Akleh with a single bullet to the back of the head while she was covering a raid at a residential area in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Abu Akleh wore a protective vest labeled “PRESS” on both the front and back when she was executed.
Abu Akleh’s death is not an isolated incident but rather part of a larger effort to suppress Al Jazeera and its reporters, as evidenced by previous attacks, including the bombing of the network's Gaza offices in 2021.
Her killing caused shockwaves in the international journalism community and press freedom organizations. Targeting journalists, including during conflicts, is a war crime. Without justice, such crimes will continue to occur with impunity.
CFWIJ has been closely monitoring the case’s developments since then. The following timeline provides a detailed recap of major events.
2023
October 27
Bulldozers destroy the shrine dedicated to Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin. Balat al-Shuhada' Street, located in the Jabriyat neighborhood, is excavated by heavy civil engineering machinery at around 3 am. Residents claim that these vehicles were operated by members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The paintings of Abu Akleh and the memorials left at the location where she was shot are vandalized and obliterated.
October 16
The United Nation publishes a report that strongly suggests Israeli security forces used lethal force without justification, violating international human rights law and the right to life of Shireen Abu Akleh. It identifies the military unit responsible for the lethal bullets, the Duvdevan Unit, but does not disclose the commanding officer's name. The report recommends that Israel fully cooperate with investigations by the FBI into Shireen Abu Akleh's death and the International Criminal Court's investigation into the Situation in the State of Palestine. However, Israel has thus far refused to cooperate with both investigations.
2022
December 6
Shireen Abu Akleh’s niece Lina Abu Akleh and Al Jazeera representatives submit the case of Shireen Abu Akleh’s killing to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
November 14
FBI opens a criminal probe into the death of Abu Akleh.
May 26
Al Jazeera Network announces it will submit a case to investigate the murder of Abu Akleh to the ICC. The network says it has prepared an international legal coalition to prepare the report.
2020
November 10
Lina Abu Akleh, Abu Akleh's niece, testifies at the UN Human Rights Council about Israel's assassination of her aunt and its violent assault on her funeral.
October 21
Abu Akleh’s family heads to The Hague to file a formal complaint against Israel with the International Criminal Court, calling on the international community to investigate the killing of Abu Akleh as a war crime.
September 16
Abu Akleh’s family releases a statement declaring Israel’s report obscures the truth and attempts to avoid accountability for the death of Shireen. Despite repeated calls from prominent human rights organizations and journalist associations, the US has yet to take action.
September 5
Israeli Defense Forces concede there is a “high possibility” Abu Akleh was shot and killed by Israeli fire. The IDF’s statement acknowledges the reporter was on the ground in a journalistic capacity, covering an Israeli military operation, CNN reports. However, the Israeli ministry states it won’t pursue criminal charges or prosecute any of the soldiers involved.
August 30
Abu Akleh’s family continues to urge the Biden administration to investigate the journalist’s death and hold Israel accountable.
August 7
Congressman André Carson, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez call on the US to hold Israel accountable in a press conference.
August 5
Abu Akleh’s family meets with Secretary Antony Blinken in Washington, DC. Blinken remains vague on whether the US would initiate a transparent and independent investigation into Abu Akleh's murder.
August 4
Abu Akleh’s family travels to Washington D.C., demanding the United States hold Israel responsible for the reporter's death.
July 15
President Biden refuses to meet with Abu Akleh’s family.
July 8
Abu Akleh’s family reaches out to Biden, requesting a meeting during his visit to Jerusalem.
July 4
The Biden administration releases a statement echoing the Israeli military's perspective on the killing of Abu Akleh.
June 24
UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) probe reveals “the shots that killed Abu Akleh came from Israeli Security Forces and not from indiscriminate firing by armed Palestinians.” No evidence supports Israel's assertion of armed Palestinian activity in the vicinity.
May 26
New video evidence suggests an Israeli soldier targeted Abu Akleh.
May 24
The Associated Press published findings of a reconstruction of the crime scene lending support to the assertion by Palestinian authorities that the bullet that claimed Abu Akleh’s life came from an Israeli weapon. In the days after, more evidence arises from journalistic investigations.
May 23
Palestinian foreign ministry formally asks the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Abu Akleh’s killing.
May 19
Israel announces it will not initiate a criminal investigation into Abu Akleh’s killing, stating it occurred during an “active combative situation.” Instead, Israel launches an “operational inquiry.”
May 15
The US expressed its condolences for the loss of US citizen Abu Akleh. No action taken to hold Israel responsible.
May 13
During Abu Akleh's funeral, Israeli police uses force against mourners, including her pallbearers, causing her casket to fall.
May 12
Israel’s defense minister, Benny Gantz, concedes “our side may have killed” Abu Akleh.
May 11
IDF shoots and kills Abu Akleh with a single bullet to the head. She was wearing a vest clearly marked PRESS.
