A Palestinian-American journalist was killed while covering an Israeli operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin for Al Jazeera.
Sherine Abu Aqla, 51, was shot “deliberately” and “in cold blood” by Israeli troops, according to the Qatar-based network. Her producer was shot and injured as well.
They were “presumably” shot by Palestinian gunmen during an exchange of fire, according to Israel’s prime minister.
It comes in the midst of an uptick in violence between Israel and Palestinians.
The Palestinian president stated the Israeli government was totally guilty for what he called a “execution crime.”
“During the exercise, dozens of Palestinian gunmen opened fire on the soldiers and hurled explosive devices at them.The military opened fire on the gunmen, and several hits were recorded.”
Sherine Abu Aqla was shot in the head by a live bullet while covering the operation, according to the Palestinian health ministry. She was sent to the hospital in severe condition and subsequently died.
According to the health ministry, another Palestinian journalist, Al Jazeera producer Ali Samoudi, was shot in the back and was in stable condition in hospital.
Mr Samoudi was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying, “We were heading to film the Israeli army operation when they shot us without asking us to leave or stop shooting.” “The first bullet struck me, while the second struck Sherine.
“At the scene, there was no Palestinian military resistance at all,” he claimed.
Sherine’s body was carried through Jenin’s streets draped in a Palestinian flag and wearing her press flak jacket. The procession was surrounded by reporters and photographers who were covering the death of one of their own.
Sherine was a well-liked reporter, one of the most experienced in the region, and a recognisable face at the region’s numerous major news events. A generation of Palestinians grew up watching her on television as one of the most well-known female conflict reporters.
There is astonishment and incredulity among a close-knit journalist corps. One of her coworkers shared what he claimed was the last photo of her with them, showing her putting on her flak jacket five minutes before she died. “Sherine saw death so many times during her reportage,” another remarked of Sherine. You showed us how to perform this hazardous task. You’ve just shattered our hearts.”