Four Years After Shireen Abu Akleh's Killing, Press Freedom Groups Say Impunity Fuels Attacks on Journalists

Four years after Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed while covering an Israeli military operation in Jenin, press freedom organizations say the lack of accountability for her death has helped fuel a wider pattern of attacks on journalists in the region. A new report published by Al Jazeera on the anniversary of her death argues that impunity in the case has emboldened further violence. Major international groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, warn that the absence of justice is sending a dangerous signal to those who target the press.

The Details

Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist working for Al Jazeera, was killed on May 11, 2022, while reporting on an Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. She was wearing clearly marked press gear at the time of her death. Multiple independent investigations by major news organizations concluded she was killed by Israeli fire, with some finding evidence she was deliberately targeted.

The Committee to Protect Journalists said on May 7, 2026, that an FBI investigation into the killing appears stalled. The agency reportedly opened the probe in November 2022, following months of international pressure and calls from lawmakers and press organizations. Since then, however, the FBI has issued no public report, provided no timeline for completion, and conducted no known formal witness interviews. CPJ noted that witnesses have indicated willingness to cooperate, yet the investigation remains publicly dormant with no indication of when or if findings will be released.

In a statement marking the fourth anniversary of Abu Akleh's death, CPJ said that since the killing, Israel has killed at least 258 journalists and media workers across the Middle East. Of those, 207 were killed in Gaza, according to the organization. CPJ described the prevailing culture of impunity as a direct factor in the continued targeting of journalists, warning that the lack of consequences has removed a key deterrent.

Sara Qudah of CPJ said, "The prevailing culture of complete impunity enjoyed by Israel is a direct factor in the continued targeting of journalists without deterrence." The Abu Akleh family stated, "This ongoing impunity sends a dangerous message that journalists can be targeted without consequence." Ali al-Samoudi, an eyewitness and Al Jazeera colleague who was also injured in the 2022 shooting, told Al Jazeera, "The absence of accountability, the absence of justice, the absence of the law and the failure to prosecute the perpetrators of the crime of assassination of Shireen led to these miseries that we are witnessing and the systemic and widespread killing of journalists."

Context

Then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett initially suggested Palestinian fighters were likely responsible for Abu Akleh's death in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Later, the Israeli Defense Forces said there was a high possibility she was accidentally hit by Israeli fire. Both claims have been contradicted by multiple independent investigations cited by CPJ, which found evidence pointing to Israeli fire and, in some cases, deliberate targeting.

The Abu Akleh family says no one has been brought to justice for either her killing or the Israeli police assault on mourners at her funeral in Jerusalem, an event that drew global condemnation. CPJ noted that the FBI's reported opening of an investigation in late 2022 has so far produced no visible result.

What's Next

Press freedom groups are continuing to demand movement in the stalled FBI investigation. CPJ has called for a public update and completion timeline, noting that witnesses have indicated willingness to cooperate but no formal interviews are publicly known. The anniversary has renewed calls for accountability for Abu Akleh's killing and the assault on mourners at her funeral, which her family says has also gone unpunished. Organizations including CPJ warn that the absence of accountability leaves journalists vulnerable to continued targeting as the toll of journalist deaths across the region continues to rise.