Shireen Abu Akleh

Their life

Shireen Abu Akleh, a 51-year-old Palestinian-American journalist, was a veteran correspondent for Al Jazeera, widely respected for her coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She dedicated decades of her life to reporting on the realities of life under occupation, often putting herself in danger to document events firsthand. On May 11, 2022, while reporting in Jenin, she was fatally shot by the Israeli army. Her death sparked international outrage and highlighted the risks journalists face in conflict zones.

Born in Jerusalem in 1971, Shireen Abu Akleh became a pioneering Palestinian journalist with Al Jazeera. She was known for her calm, courageous, and accurate reporting, covering major conflicts and humanitarian crises in Palestine. She spent years documenting military operations, protests, and the everyday struggles of Palestinian communities under occupation. Her work earned her widespread recognition as a trusted voice on the ground.

On May 11, 2022, Abu Akleh was covering an Israeli military raid in Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank. Despite wearing a blue press vest, she was struck by a bullet and killed instantly. Her colleague, Ali al-Samoudi, was wounded in the same incident. Initial Israeli claims suggested Palestinian gunfire caused the death, but further investigations, including statements by US military officer Col. Steve Gabavics, indicate she was intentionally targeted. Her death has become a symbol of the dangers faced by journalists reporting in conflict zones.

How they died

Gunshot wound inflicted during a military operation.

Abu Akleh died from a single bullet to the head, fired during an Israeli army raid on Jenin. Investigations by military observers and journalists concluded that she was clearly identifiable as a journalist, wearing a press vest at the time. Allegations from Col. Steve Gabavics suggest the killing was deliberate, while official Israeli accounts initially claimed accidental fire. The shooting resulted in the death of Abu Akleh and injuries to her colleague, emphasizing the lethal risks for reporters in active conflict zones.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Shireen Abu Akleh, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources