- Shireen Abu Akleh lost her life on May 11, 2022, after she was hit by a live bullet in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in Jenin, West Bank
- The veteran journalist worked with Al Jazeera and was killed in the line of duty
- Shireen who was 51 at the time of her death is one of the many victims of the conflict
Shireen Abu Akleh is another victim of the decades-long Palestinian and Israeli conflict that dates back in time. Till her death, the journalist was Aljazeera’s reporter stationed in the West Bank city of Jenin is said to have been killed by an Israeli bullet. She had a career like many journalists who brazed to bring war front reports despite the imminent danger to their lives.
Her death on May 11, 2022, has sparked reactions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict regarding the occupation of the West Bank by Israel. Like many other victims who have lost their lives or parts of the body, Shireen lost her life in the line of duty.
Who Is Shireen Abu Akleh?
Shireen Abu Akleh was a journalist who reported for Aljazeera. She was born on January 3, 1971, in Jerusalem to parents of Christian background from Bethlehem.
Until her death at the age of 51, Shireen worked in the hotspots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts that have lasted many decades. Shireen lived in East Jerusalem which also served as her base from which she sent reports to Aljazeera.
Who Is Responsible for Her Death?
While many sources have pinned her death on an Israeli sniper, there are other sources that are pointing elsewhere for her death. The Israeli army is being blamed for her death. Yet like other casualties of war without end, Shireen’s death is another sad occurrence that has cut off her life and career at its prime.
Aljazeera had pointed at the Israeli security forces for targeting their journalist in the wake of the sad event. Yet, the Israeli Defense Forces which is the combined military force of the state of Israel has issued a statement refuting the claims made by Shireen’s employer, Aljazeera. Moreso, Shireen who was wearing a helmet and press vest at the time of her death is sparking many theories surrounding her death.
As per their own stance, the IDF is of the view that they did not target Shireen as they were operating in the area to arrest suspects in terrorist activities. Supposedly there were shootings on both the Palestinian suspects and Israeli forces side which had escalated things.
Moreso, the weeks proceeding her death was marked by increased tensions on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides in clashes that lasted many decades.
As of this writing, the events including the shootings are being examined since it is likely the shots that killed journalists could have been fired by the Palestinian gunfire.
Other Facts About Shireen Abu Akleh
1. Her Early Life And Education
The Jerusalem-born native started her early education at the Beit Hanina an Arab-Israeli neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Having completed her secondary school education, she proceeded to the Jordan University of Science and Technology to further her studies.
Despite applying to study Architecture at the higher institution, she changed her mind and transferred to Yarmouk University in Jordan. Shireen graduated from the school with a degree in print journalism after which she returned home to build her career.
2. She Spent Over Two Decades Working for Al Jazeera
Shireen Abu Akleh had a long working experience in the Palestinian media before she assumed a position with the International media giant, Aljazeera which is based in Doha, Qatar.
She worked with media outlets like Radio Monte Carlo and Voice of Palestine before moving to Al Jazeera.
The dead journalist started working with Aljazeera in 1997. She later gained a wide reputation following the Palestinian’s resistance against Israeli occupation in what is regarded as the second Palestinian Intifada 2000. The first Intifada broke out in 1987 and over the years there were many uprisings.
Shireen’s background in the media and experiences as a Palestinian soon gave her a niche in reporting from the boiling point of conflicts and wars. She spent 25 years working for the Arabic language channel of the network.
Her specialization was in Israeli politics and reporting on the funerals of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces.
3. Shireen Abu Akleh Died In The Line of Duty
The Palestinian journalist was shot while covering a news report in the refugee camps of Jenin in the West Bank. Reportedly, the bullet that killed her was a live one coming in the wake of Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank.
Also, she sustained a head injury that led to her death shortly after. The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed her death.
4. Shireen Abu Akleh Husband And Children
Despite having a successful career and losing her life in the line of duty, not much is known about her private life. It’s uncertain if the journalist was ever married or if she had children.
See Also: Kaylee Hartung- 12 Facts You Didn’t Know About The Reporter
5. Shireen Abu Akleh Is One Of The Many Fallen Journalist In The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
Though she lived her life and career around a sad occurrence of History, Shireen’s life ended like many others. So far the war has claimed many lives on both sides. Its victims are those brave enough to dodge the bullets and show the world the situation on the ground.
There are many other journalists that paid the ultimate price with their lives or health. Another journalist, Ali Samoudi of Al-Quds Newspaper was shot but he did not lose his life.
Some journalists that fell or lost their health in the endless conflict are:
- Daoud El-Issa-1903-1983
- Yasser Murtaja(31)- Born 1987, Died April 6, 2018
- Mohammed al-Qiq- He embarked on a 94 days hunger strike as a protest against Israeli Detention without Charge
- Moath Amarneh- A Palestinian photographer who lost his eye after he being hit by bullet shrapnel from Israeli security forces
- Yousef Abu Hussein- Died 2018
