The Al Jazeera Media Network has formally requested that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate and prosecute those responsible for the murder of renowned Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

Abu Akleh, a 25-year correspondent for Al Jazeera, was killed by Israeli soldiers on May 11 while documenting an Israeli military raid on a refugee camp in Jenin, located in the northern occupied West Bank.

The 51-year-old Jerusalem native and American citizen was a well-known and highly regarded journalist whose coverage of the Israeli occupation offered Palestinians a voice.

‘A wider pattern’

The request contains a dossier on a six-month investigation conducted by Al Jazeera, which compiles all known eyewitness evidence and video footage, as well as new information on the murder of Abu Akleh.

The request to the ICC is presented "in the context of a broader attack on Al Jazeera and journalists in Palestine," stated Al Jazeera's attorney, Rodney Dixon KC, alluding to the explosion of the network's Gaza office on May 15, 2021.

"It's not a solitary occurrence; it's a killing that is part of a larger pattern," he added. "The prosecution should investigate to determine who is responsible for the murders and file charges against them."

"The focus is on Shireen and this specific murder, this heinous murder. As an international media organization, Al Jazeera has been the subject of multiple acts, which we detail in the evidence we present.

Dixon stated, "The evidence indicates that the [Israeli] authorities are attempting to silence it."

Dixon stated that Al Jazeera hopes the ICC prosecutor "really begins investigating this matter" in response to the network's request. The request supplements Abu Akleh's family's September complaint to the International Criminal Court, which was supported by the Palestinian Press Syndicate and the International Federation of Journalists.

A new documentary by Al Jazeera's Fault Lines depicts how Abu Akleh and other journalists, wearing protective helmets and bulletproof vests emblazoned with the word "PRESS," were ambushed by Israeli soldiers while strolling along a road in plain view of Israeli forces.

Abu Akleh was shot in the head while attempting to hide behind a carob tree. Ali al-Samoudi, a producer for Al Jazeera, was also shot in the shoulder.

Al Jazeera's fresh data demonstrates that "Shireen and her colleagues were directly targeted by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)," the network stated in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement said that the video refutes Israeli allegations that Shireen was killed in crossfire and "confirms beyond any doubt that there was no other firing in the area where Shireen was other for the IOF firing directly at her."

The information indicates that this murder was part of a larger attempt to target and silence Al Jazeera, according to the statement.

Next steps

Lina Abu Akleh, who wore a pin with her aunt's face and spoke outside the door to the ICC on a foggy, brisk morning after Al Jazeera made its request, expressed the family's desire for "good results soon."

"We want the prosecutor to seek truth and justice, and we expect the court to hold accountable the institutions and individuals guilty for the murder of my aunt," she said.

Anton, the eldest brother of Abu Akleh, stated that the network's submission was important to the family.

This is very important to us not only for Shireen – nothing can bring her back – but also guarantee that such crimes are prevented, and we hope that the International Criminal Court will take swift action to eliminate impunity.

Walid al-Omari, the Jerusalem bureau chief for Al Jazeera and Abu Akleh's friend and colleague, stated that it is crucial to keep the matter in the public eye. We do not believe Israel should evade responsibility.

After reviewing the evidence, the ICC will decide whether to investigate Abu Akleh's murder as part of its current investigations.

'Hold killers accountable'

The International Criminal Court determined in 2021 that it has jurisdiction over the situation in the occupied Palestinian region. Al Jazeera urges that the killing of Abu Akleh be included in this probe.

Dixon stated, "We are requesting an investigation that leads to the filing of charges and the prosecution of individuals involved."

According to investigations conducted by the United Nations, Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations, and international news organizations, Abu Akleh was murdered by an Israeli soldier.

The Abu Akleh family has demanded that the FBI and Department of State conduct a "thorough, transparent investigation" into the command structure that led to the killing of an American citizen.

In July, Lina Abu Akleh wrote for Al Jazeera, "We would like [US President Joe] Biden to do in Shireen's case what he and past administrations failed to do when other American citizens were assassinated by Israel: Hold the criminals accountable."

In November, the United States announced an FBI investigation into the murder of Abu Akleh, which was welcomed by her family.

Dixon stressed, however, that this investigation should not prevent the ICC from acting.

They can collaborate with the FBI so that this case does not fall through the cracks and the perpetrators are discovered and brought to justice.

Debunking shifting narratives

The documentary Fault Lines also examines Israel's shifting narratives in depth.

Israel first wrongly accused armed Palestinians for the death of Abu Akleh, but in September stated that there was a "high probability" that an Israeli soldier "accidentally" killed the journalist, though it would not begin a criminal probe.

Director of the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem, Hagai El-Ad, told Fault Lines that Israel is accustomed to lying about killings of Palestinians in both the public and legal spheres.

"Al Jazeera submitted this request since Israeli officials have taken no action to investigate the incident. In reality, they have stated that they will not investigate since no criminal suspicion exists," said Dixon.

Al Jazeera Media Network describes the homicide as a "heinous crime" and a "brutal murder."

"Al Jazeera reaffirms its dedication to achieving justice for Shireen and to investigate all possibilities to ensure the criminals are held accountable and brought to justice," the network added.