Context:

In 2022, Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed in the West Bank, leading to a controversy over the identity of the shooter. Initially, Israeli officials suggested she was hit by a Palestinian militant, but later admitted she was likely shot by an Israeli soldier, whose identity they did not disclose. A recent documentary by Zeteo News has named Captain Alon Scagio as the soldier responsible, a claim confirmed by anonymous Israeli military officials. Despite this revelation, the Israeli military has not officially identified the shooter, while Scagio's family requested privacy. The incident strained U.S.-Israel relations, with the Biden administration pushing for a thorough investigation, although later accused of downplaying Israeli responsibility, a charge they denied.

Dive Deeper:

• Shireen Abu Akleh, a renowned journalist with U.S. citizenship, was killed in 2022 while covering an Israeli military raid in the West Bank, prompting widespread mourning and scrutiny of Israel's actions.

• Initial Israeli claims suggested a Palestinian militant was responsible for her death, but the narrative shifted to acknowledge the likelihood of an Israeli soldier's involvement, without revealing the shooter's identity.

• Zeteo News, through a documentary, identified the shooter as Captain Alon Scagio, a 20-year-old marksman in an elite commando unit, with confirmation from anonymous Israeli military sources.

• Despite the documentary's findings, the Israeli military has not officially confirmed the shooter's identity and has passed along the Scagio family's request for privacy regarding the captain's name.

• The death of Abu Akleh, an American citizen, prompted the Biden administration to press Israel for a more rigorous investigation, although later U.S. reports refuted claims of intentional targeting by Israeli forces.

• The Zeteo documentary suggested initial U.S. conclusions pointed to deliberate targeting, but these were allegedly softened to avoid diplomatic tensions with Israel, a claim contested by U.S. officials.

• Abu Akleh's funeral drew international attention and outrage after Israeli police clashed with mourners, further fueling the controversy surrounding her death.