Brother of journalist killed in occupied West Bank says new findings reveal cover-up

The brother of the journalist Shireen Abu Akleh shot dead by the Israeli army three years ago alleges that new revelations from an American military officer who investigated her killing reveals a US cover-up.

Tony Abu Akleh's comments come after the New York Times reported that a US colonel said he concluded in 2022 that Ms Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American Al Jazeera correspondent, was intentionally killed. Colonel Steve Gabavics claims that his superiors and the Biden administration softened findings to appease Israel.

Mr Abu Akleh told the BBC the new revelation confirmed what the family always knew - that his sister was deliberately shot, despite being clearly identified as a journalist.

Ms Abu Akleh died from a single shot to the head, and her colleague Ali al-Samoudi was wounded, after being fired on by the Israeli army during a raid on Jenin refugee camp in May 2022.

At first, the IDF claimed she was hit by Palestinian gunmen, but over the weeks changed that account, saying she likely was killed by its soldiers by mistake.