WASHINGTON (Dispatches) – The United States has informed the Zionist regime authorities that it has decided to open its own investigation into the regime’s killing of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, several media outlets reported, citing unidentified sources.
The U.S. Justice Department informed that the FBI is opening a probe into the incident, according to reports.
Abu Akleh was fatally shot by Zionist troops while covering a raid in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin in May.
The scope of a U.S. investigation, as well as what consequences could ensue, remain unclear but Zionist war minister Benny Gantz said the occupying regime would not cooperate with an external investigation into Abu Akleh’s killing.
“The decision taken by the U.S. Justice Department to conduct an investigation into the tragic passing of Shireen Abu Akleh, is a mistake,” Gantz wrote on Twitter.
“I have delivered a message to U.S. representatives that we stand by the [Zionist regime’s] soldiers, that we will not cooperate with an external investigation, and will not enable intervention to internal investigations,” he added.
The reports come less than two weeks after Zionist voters favored a right-wing coalition that will bring former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu back to power.
A U.S. probe into the killing would mark an about-face from the initial stance of President Joe Biden’s administration.
Despite numerous calls by U.S. legislators for a Washington-led investigation, the U.S. State Department previously ruled out opening an inquiry into the incident. Instead, U.S. officials have stressed that the Zionist regime can investigate its own troops.
Abu Akleh’s killing sparked international outrage and calls for justice by press freedom advocates.
Dozens of U.S. legislators, including some staunch supporters of the occupying regime, signed on to letters urging Biden and his top aides to seek accountability in the case. One of the letters called for an FBI probe.
Wearing press attire, 51-year-old Abu Akleh was murdered in cold blood while covering a Zionist military raid in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on May 11. Later, her funeral was also attacked by the regime forces.
Following long denial, the occupying regime’s military finally admitted in September that Abu Akleh might have “accidentally” been killed by Israeli fire directed “towards suspects identified as armed Palestinian gunmen.”