Palestinians hand bullet that killed journalist to U.S. for examination

RAMALLAH, West Financial institution, July 2 (Reuters) – The Palestinian Authority has handed the bullet that killed distinguished Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh to U.S. authorities for forensic examination, a Palestinian official mentioned on Saturday.

Abu Akleh was killed on Might 11 whereas masking an Israeli army raid within the Palestinian metropolis of Jenin within the occupied West Financial institution. Her dying sparked Palestinian outrage and worldwide condemnation.

“The related events within the state of Palestine agreed to permit the U.S. facet to conduct ballistic works on the bullet. It was handed over to them,” Akram al-Khatib, Normal Prosecutor for the Palestinian Authority, mentioned in an announcement revealed by the official Palestinian information company WAFA.

There was no rapid remark from U.S. diplomatic officers in Jerusalem.

The Israeli army, prime minister’s workplace and defence ministry didn’t instantly remark when requested whether or not Israel could be cooperating with the U.S. investigation and, in that case, how.

Defence Minister Benny Gantz mentioned in Might that Israel was “ready to conduct an investigation in collaboration with worldwide actors”.

After its personal investigation, the Palestinian Authority mentioned Abu Akleh had been shot by an Israeli soldier in a “deliberate homicide”.

Israel has denied the accusation and says it’s persevering with its personal investigation.

However it says it can not decide whether or not she was shot unintentionally by an Israeli soldier or by a Palestinian militant throughout an alternate of fireplace with out inspecting the bullet to see if it matches an Israeli army rifle.

U.S. President Joe Biden is anticipated to satisfy individually with Palestinian and Israeli leaders throughout a go to to the area on July 13-16.

Video footage confirmed that Abu Akleh, 51, was carrying a blue vest clearly marked “Press” when she was shot. No less than two colleagues who had been along with her mentioned that they had come underneath Israeli sniper hearth with out being close to any militants.

Further reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem and Nidal al-MUghrabi in Gaza; Writing by Maayan Lubell; Enhancing by Kevin Liffey

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.