• A new documentary uncovers the identity of the Israeli soldier who shot journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
• The film suggests the Biden administration had evidence indicating the killing was likely intentional.
• US officials reportedly softened initial findings to maintain relations with Israel.
• Abu Akleh’s death intensified scrutiny of Israel's treatment of journalists in conflict zones.
• The documentary features interviews with former US officials who shed light on the US role in the investigation.

A new documentary titled Who Killed Shireen?, released by Zeteo, identifies a 20-year-old Israeli soldier as the one who shot Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh during an Israeli military operation in Jenin on May 11, 2022. This film claims to overturn previous narratives that suggested her death was an accident, indicating instead that it was likely intentional and that the Biden administration was aware of this assessment but chose to downplay it to maintain strong diplomatic ties with Israel, according to Al Jazeera and The New York Times.

According to the documentary, the Israeli soldier, now identified as Capt. Alon Scagio, was confirmed to have acted within the context of a military operation at the time of the shooting. The film states that initial internal reviews by U.S. officials from the Biden administration indicated the killing was deliberate; however, this conclusion was allegedly overridden, resulting in public statements describing it as a tragic incident. Former officials indicated that the administration feared upsetting Israel by acknowledging the likelihood of intentionality behind the shooting, reports NPR and Al Jazeera.

The filmmakers highlight previous claims made by Israeli authorities that blamed Palestinian gunfire for Abu Akleh's death, which they later retracted, acknowledging that Israeli forces were responsible. The documentary provides evidence suggesting that both the Israeli government and the U.S. administration aimed to deflect responsibility at various points, thereby allowing the soldier to escape accountability, according to Al Jazeera and Al Jazeera.

Following Abu Akleh's death, which was widely condemned, the documentary underscores a broader context of violence against journalists in Palestine, reporting that over 200 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces in recent years. The film asserts that the killing of Abu Akleh marked a signal shift in terms of the dangers faced by journalists in the region, where the Israeli military has become increasingly aggressive towards media workers, as noted by NPR and Al Jazeera.

In closing remarks featured in the documentary, the filmmakers hope to prompt action and change within the Israeli military regarding engagements with unarmed civilians and journalists. They call for the U.S. government to reassess its posture and accountability mechanisms in light of the evidence presented, emphasizing the need for a response to the lack of justice for an American citizen killed by an allied military force, according to NPR, Al Jazeera, and The New York Times.