Abu Akleh, a veteran correspondent for Al Jazeera, was killed on May 11, 2022 while reporting on an Israeli operation in the Jenin refugee camp. She was wearing a blue protective vest clearly marked “PRESS” at the time of the shooting, according to eyewitness accounts and media footage from the scene.

Then-Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett initially said Palestinian gunfire was likely responsible for the killing and denied involvement by Israeli forces. The Israel Defense Forces later stated it was “not possible to unequivocally determine the source of the gunfire,” while acknowledging there was a “high possibility” Abu Akleh was accidentally struck by Israeli fire.

Independent investigations conducted by the United Nations and several international media organizations, including CNN, The New York Times and Al Jazeera, concluded that Abu Akleh was likely killed by Israeli troops during the raid.

Her funeral in occupied East Jerusalem later drew international attention after Israeli security forces clashed with mourners carrying her coffin. The Jerusalem Red Crescent said 33 people were injured and six hospitalized during the confrontation.

In statements issued on Monday, members of Abu Akleh’s family said the absence of legal accountability reflected a broader failure to protect journalists operating in conflict zones.

“We want the US to provide a public update about the investigation and ensure that there is transparency in the FBI investigation,” her niece, Lina Abu Akleh, told Arab News.

She also called for sanctions against the Israeli military unit allegedly involved in the shooting and criticized what she described as insufficient action by Washington despite Abu Akleh’s US citizenship.
“The ongoing impunity sends a dangerous message that journalists can be targeted without consequence,” Lina Abu Akleh said, linking the case to wider concerns over the safety of reporters covering conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.

The Committee to Protect Journalists last week urged US authorities to relaunch and publicly update the FBI investigation opened in 2022. In a letter to the US Department of Justice, the organization said it was unaware of formal witness interviews despite multiple individuals expressing willingness to cooperate.

The group described the lack of visible progress in the case as a “profound failure” by the US government to respond promptly and impartially to the killing of one of its citizens abroad.

The April 27 assessment by the Department’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis found that the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, held “multiple social and political grievances” and said the US-Israeli war with Iran “may have contributed to his decision to conduct the attack.”

The findings relate to the April 25 incident targeting the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where Allen is accused of attempting to attack Trump and senior officials. While officials have not reached a definitive conclusion on motive, the report offers the clearest indication to date that the ongoing conflict in Iran could have been a contributing factor.

The document, classified as a “Critical Incident Note,” was obtained through public records requests by the nonprofit Property of the People and reviewed by Reuters.US prosecutors have filed multiple charges against Allen, including attempted assassination, discharging a firearm during a violent crime, illegal transportation of weapons across state lines, and assault on a federal officer.

Authorities allege he fired at a US Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint. Allen has not yet entered a plea.Investigators have focused heavily on Allen’s online activity, with the FBI reviewing social media posts and digital communications linked to the suspect.

According to court filings, Allen expressed political opposition to Trump and sought to “fight back” against government policies he viewed as objectionable.An email sent by Allen to relatives on the night of the attack, described by officials as a manifesto, conveyed anger toward the administration and referenced targeting a “traitor” delivering a speech, though it did not name Trump directly.

Law enforcement officials said posts tied to accounts linked to Allen included criticism of US actions in Iran, as well as broader grievances related to immigration enforcement, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and prominent public figures.Authorities said the examination of Allen’s digital footprint is ongoing and is intended in part to establish motive and counter misinformation surrounding the case, following previous incidents that fueled conspiracy theories about politically motivated violence.

Spokespersons for the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while the FBI declined to comment on the investigation.

Mohammad Sharifullah is charged with providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, in connection with the blast at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Opening statements in federal court featured sharply contrasting accounts of Sharifullah’s alleged involvement. Defense attorney Geremy Kamens said U.S. authorities had “got the wrong man” and argued that statements attributed to his client were unreliable because they were obtained while he was in foreign custody.

Prosecutor John Gibbs countered that Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, had expressed support for attacks against Americans and admitted ties to the regional affiliate of the Islamic State group, known as Daesh-K.According to prosecutors, Sharifullah told investigators he joined the group around 2016 and acknowledged involvement in militant activities, though he denied a direct planning role in the Kabul bombing.

The government alleges he helped scout the bomber’s route to the airport ahead of the attack.The bombing occurred on Aug. 26, 2021, near Abbey Gate at the airport, where thousands of Afghans were attempting to flee as U.S. forces completed their withdrawal.

A review by U.S. Central Command identified the attacker as Abdul Rahman Al-Logari, a Daesh-K operative who had been released from prison shortly before the incident.Sharifullah was captured and brought to the United States in 2025 after his arrest in Pakistan.

Then-President Donald Trump announced his capture, and he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.Jurors heard that the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted multiple interviews with Sharifullah following his detention.

The defense argued those statements should be viewed with skepticism, alleging coercion during his time in Pakistani custody.

The trial, taking place in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, is expected to last about a week. Twelve jurors and three alternates have been empaneled to hear the case.