Who Is Shireen Abu Akleh? Journalist Killed In Israeli Raid At West Bank

On May 11, the journalists across the world were mourning the death of journalist Shireen Abu Alekh who was killed while she was on an assignment in the West Bank in Jenin. Her family confirmed that the 51-year-old Palestinian journalist was killed in a raid by the Israelis.

While the journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed, another journalist Ali Al Samudi who was present with Akleh was also shot. Al Jazeera claims that the 51-year-old who was covering an Israeli army raid on the Jenin refugee camp was shot in the face by a single bullet, despite wearing a press vest.

Reportedly, Israeli forces raided Shireen's home and allegedly confiscated Palestinian flags and prevented the playing of nationalistic songs. Fellows from the industry and at Al Jazeera mourned the veteran journalist's death. With the news of her death hitting the headlines, many have wondered who Shireen was.

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Who Is Shireen Abu Akleh

A Palestinian journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh worked as a reporter for the Arabic language section of Al Jazeera. Born in Jerusalem, Abu’s family members are Arab Christians from Bethlehem. Reportedly, Shireen had lost her parents when she was young and is now survived by her brother Tony Abu Akleh. 

She attended secondary school in Beit Hanina, then matriculated at the Jordan University of Science and Technology to study architecture, later transferring to Yarmouk University in Jordan where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in print journalism. She later returned to Palestine.

Shireen has worked for several media outlets including Voice of Palestine Radio, and Amman Satellite Channel. She had been with her current publication since 1997 and gained fame for her coverage of the second Palestinian Intifada in 2000. She covered the Gaza wars of 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2021.

Reports state that she was highly regarded in the region and seen as one of the network's pre-eminent talents; her reportage faced scrutiny from those with vested interests in both Israel and Palestine since she debuted in 1997.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) shot her today as she was reporting IDF raids in Jenin, a Palestinian city on Northern West Bank. According to the Israeli military Abu injured herself in the clash and succumbed to her fatal injuries at the Ibn Sina Hospital.