After months of soft pressure from Washington, the Israeli army finally released the results of its own investigation into the circumstances around the killing of American-Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on May 11. But while the Israelis are moving closer and closer to hinting at some culpability — saying it was "likely" that the bullet that killed the journalist came from an Israeli soldier — the motive behind the shooting was whitewashed.

The Israeli military said that while it is "not possible to unequivocally determine the source of the gunfire" that killed Abu Akleh, "there is a high possibility" she was "accidentally hit" by IDF fire. Israel stopped short of taking responsibility and will not proceed with a criminal investigation.

It was difficult to find any knowledgeable person who accepts the Israeli explanation and claims of a mistake by the Israeli soldier. The Abu Akleh family issued a detailed statement saying that "as expected, Israel has refused to take responsibility for murdering Shireen.” 

The statement further called on the US Congress, the Biden administration and others to “follow through with meaningful action.”