Thousands of Palestinians are likely to attend the funeral in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem(Israel)- Thousands of Palestinians will attend the funeral of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh at a Catholic church in Jerusalem Old City before burial, On Friday afternoon. Who was said shot dead by Israeli forces earlier this week while covering a military operation in the occupied West Bank.
Shireen Abu Akleh is, a veteran on-air correspondent who spent a quarter-century covering the harsh realities of life under Israeli military rule, now well into its sixth decade with no end in sight, died recently, prompting an outpouring of grief from across the Palestinian territories and the wider Arab world.
Israel insisted Palestinian Authority co-operate in the investigation. Palestine rejected this and didn’t hand over the bullet for forensic analysis to determine who fired the fatal round.
Either side is likely to cast doubt on any conclusions reached by the other. There did not appear to be any possibility of a third party carrying out an independent probe.
The PA and the Qatar-based Al Jazeera network accused Israel of deliberately killing Abu Akleh within hours of her death; Israel asked for a full investigation before making conclusions.
The bullet got her during the cover of an Israeli arrest raid in Jenin. In recent weeks, Palestinians from Jenin and surrounding areas have carried out a series of deadly attacks inside Israel. Israel has launched nearly daily arrest raids in the area, frequently resulting in gunfights with militants.
Early Friday, Israeli troops advanced into Jenin again. An Associated Press photographer heard heavy gunfire and explosions and reported that Israeli troops had surrounded a home.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 11 Palestinians hospitalised after the fighting. According to the Israeli military, Palestinians opened fire on its forces when they went in to arrest suspected militants.
Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem — including the Old City and its holy sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims — in the 1967 war. The Palestinians want both territories as part of their future state. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move not recognised internationally and views the entire city as its capital.
Police went to Abu Akleh’s family home in Jerusalem the same day and have shown up at other mourning events in the city to remove Palestinian flags. Tensions are running high ahead of the funeral.
