Thu May 08 17:29:34 UTC 2025: ## Documentary Names Israeli Soldier Responsible for Shireen Abu Akleh’s Death

**Jenin, West Bank –** A new documentary, “Who Killed Shireen?”, has identified Alon Scagio, a now-deceased Israeli soldier, as the likely shooter responsible for the death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May 2022. The film, released by Zeteo, alleges that Scagio, a sniper with the elite Duvdevan unit, killed Abu Akleh while she was reporting in Jenin. Scagio himself was later killed in a roadside bombing in June 2024.

The documentary details testimonies suggesting that both the Biden administration and Israeli officials knew or suspected Israeli culpability shortly after the incident. Despite receiving information from an unnamed Israeli general, US officials publicly supported Israel’s initial claims that Abu Akleh was killed by Palestinian gunfire. Even after Israel conceded a “high probability” of its forces’ involvement, the US reportedly failed to press for accountability, fearing it might anger the Israeli government.

The film claims that following Abu Akleh’s death, Scagio was transferred to a different unit, potentially to hinder investigations. Furthermore, the documentary alleges that soldiers from Scagio’s unit subsequently used Abu Akleh’s image for target practice.

The documentary’s findings highlight a broader pattern of impunity surrounding Israeli actions in the West Bank. It links Abu Akleh’s killing to the subsequent deaths of over 200 journalists in the region, and asserts that the US failure to hold Israel accountable contributed to this escalating violence. The film underscores the continued US support for Israel, despite international criticism of its actions in the West Bank and Gaza, where over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. US Senator Chris Van Hollen is quoted in the film, stating that the lack of accountability in Abu Akleh’s case contributed to the deaths of other Americans and civilians. The documentary calls into question the US government’s response to the killing of an American citizen and journalist.

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