Documentary identifies Israeli soldier behind killing journalist Shireen Abu Akleh

AMMAN — A newly released documentary has named the Israeli soldier believed to have shot and killed veteran Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, during an Israeli military raid in Jenin in 2022, renewing calls for accountability and justice.

The film Who Killed Shireen?, produced by the US-based media company Zeteo, identified 20-year-old Israeli soldier Alon Scagio as the individual who fired the fatal shot that killed the prominent Al Jazeera reporter on 11 May 2022. At the time, Abu Akleh was clearly marked as press, wearing a helmet and a blue vest emblazoned with the word “PRESS”.

The documentary, backed by months of investigative work led by journalist Dion Nissenbaum, claims that Scagio, who was later transferred to another unit, was killed in 2024 during another Israeli operation in Jenin. Despite initial denials and efforts to blame Palestinian gunmen, Israeli and US officials reportedly knew hours after the killing that an Israeli soldier had likely shot the 51-year-old journalist, the documentary said. 

The findings revealed that the Israeli military quickly determined the soldier had misidentified Abu Akleh as a militant, despite her visible press gear and distance of over 200 metres from the soldier. Yet, no criminal charges were filed, and Israel refused to share the soldier’s identity or statement with US investigators. An initial American assessment reportedly concluded the shooting may have been intentional, but the Biden administration later reversed its position, blaming “tragic circumstances”.

“This is not just about one soldier , it is about a system that allows such killings to happen without consequences,” said Lina Abu Akleh, Shireen’s niece. “Justice requires accountability from everyone involved, from the shooter to those who covered it up.”

The documentary also highlights the wider issue of journalist safety in conflict zones. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), more than 175 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza on 7 October 2023. The year 2024 saw the highest number of journalist deaths globally since CPJ began documenting them three decades ago, with Israel responsible for nearly two-thirds of those deaths.

Ali Samoudi, Shireen’s producer who was wounded during the same incident, is also featured in the film. He recently received a six-month administrative detention order following a raid on his home in late April 2025. His family said he was beaten and handcuffed to a hospital bed. Israeli authorities have accused him, without presenting evidence, of links to Islamic Jihad.

“The bullet that killed Shireen was meant to silence Palestinian media,” said Samoudi in the documentary. “We are being punished for documenting the occupation’s crimes.”