Four years after Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed while reporting in the occupied West Bank, no arrests or charges have been made. She was fatally shot on May 11, 2022, while covering an Israeli raid on the Jenin refugee camp, despite wearing a clearly marked press vest. Israeli officials initially attributed her death to Palestinian gunfire, while the military later said it could not definitively determine the source but acknowledged a high possibility she was accidentally hit by its forces.

Abu Akleh’s family says the lack of accountability reflects a persistent failure to deliver justice. They have called on the United States government to provide a public update on the investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and to ensure transparency. The family is also urging sanctions against the Israeli military unit involved, arguing that continued inaction sends a dangerous message that journalists can be targeted without consequence.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has urged the United States Department of Justice to relaunch and publicly update its investigation, noting that no demonstrable progress has been made. The organization described the lack of concrete action as a profound failure to respond promptly and impartially to the killing of an American citizen abroad. Abu Akleh’s family has vowed to continue pursuing justice through all available avenues until those responsible are held accountable.