Israel is not going to hold prison inquiry into killing of journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh | Israel

Israel is not going to launch a legal investigation into the killing of the US-Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh, which Palestinian officials and witnesses have blamed on Israeli soldiers.

In a statement launched on Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces claimed that as a result of Abu Aqleh was killed in an “active combat scenario”, an immediate legal investigation wouldn't be launched, although an “operational inquiry” would proceed.

In keeping with a report in the Haaretz newspaper, the Israeli navy police branch has accepted the assurances of Israeli troops that they weren't aware she was in a village adjoining to the Jenin refugee camp when she was killed on 11 May.

The Biden administration and the UN security council have known as for a clear investigation.

Abu Aqleh was a family name throughout the Arab world, identified for documenting the hardship of Palestinian life beneath Israeli rule for Al Jazeera. Her killing acquired widespread international protection and prompted criticism from the White House.

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, promised her household that Washington would demand that her loss of life be properly investigated.

Abu Aqleh was killed during an arrest raid by an Israeli commando unit on Palestinian militants.

In response to Haaretz, the top of the Commando Brigade, Col Meni Liberty, identified six events during the raid when Israeli troopers opened hearth, allegedly at armed Palestinians who had been close to Abu Aqleh and different journalists.

The Israeli navy had beforehand launched an account that stated it could not unequivocally determine the supply of the bullet that killed Abu Aqleh. That account speculated that the bullet could have been fired by both a Palestinian militant or an Israeli soldier using a “telescopic scope” at 200 metres.

Palestinian officials have refused to give the recovered bullet to Israeli authorities to analyse but said it welcomed worldwide investigations.

The decision by the Israeli military advocate general, Maj Gen Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, to not order an investigation by the army police prison investigation division marks a departure from the vast majority of recent incidents involving IDF shootings of civilians in the occupied West Financial institution, which have been followed by investigations.

At her funeral on Friday police beat mourners carrying her casket, prompting more criticism of Israeli authorities.

Last week the UN high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet, complained a couple of lack of Israeli accountability for deaths within the occupied territories.

Commenting on Abu Aqleh’s killing and the following violence at her funeral, Bachelet said: “As I have referred to as for a lot of occasions before, there must be acceptable investigations into the actions of Israeli safety forces.

“Anyone found accountable should be held to account with penal and disciplinary sanctions commensurate to the gravity of the violation. This culture of impunity must end now.”

The Israeli NGO Yesh Din criticised the choice not to investigate, saying that “the military legislation enforcement mechanisms not even bother to provide the appearance of investigating”.

More than 100 artists, including Hollywood stars, acclaimed authors and prominent musicians, have meanwhile signed a joint letter condemning Abu Aqleh’s killing.

Steve Coogan, Kathryn Hahn, Mark Ruffalo, Susan Sarandon and Tilda Swinton were among the many signatories to a letter printed by Artists for Palestine UK that known as for “full accountability for the perpetrators of this crime and everyone concerned in authorising it”.

The Israel Defence Forces launched a press release on Thursday claiming that “dozens of Palestinian gunmen fired recklessly and indiscriminately whereas IDF soldiers had been conducting counter-terrorism activities in the Jenin camp” on the day that Abu Aqleh died.

“An change of fireplace occurred between Palestinian gunmen and the soldiers. Toward the tip of the activity, the journalist Shireen Abu [Aqleh], who was present on the battle zone during the trade of fireplace, was hit.

“Because of the nature of the energetic combat scenario, a direct [military criminal] investigation was not launched. A choice relating to the necessity of an … investigation will be determined by the navy advocacy, in accordance with the findings of the still-ongoing operational inquiry, as is customary in such cases.”

Signal up to First Version, our free day by day publication – each weekday morning at 7am BST

The police branch determination came a day after Israeli authorities stated they've given the go-ahead for flag-waving Jewish nationalists to march through the heart of the primary Palestinian thoroughfare in Jerusalem’s Old Metropolis later this month, in a call that threatens to re-ignite violence within the holy metropolis.

The office of the public security minister, Omer Barlev, mentioned the march would take place on 29 Might alongside its “customary route” by means of Damascus Gate, which is an Arab neighbourhood.

The Previous City, located in East Jerusalem, has experienced weeks of violent confrontations between Israeli police and Palestinian demonstrators, and the march threatens to set off new unrest.