On Monday, June 13, 2022, the United Nations human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, called on Israeli authorities to open a criminal investigation into all the killings and crimes of its forces.
During her opening address to the Geneva-based body’s summer session, Bachelet urged the occupation to open a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of veteran Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed in May at the hands of the IOF.
Luay Shabana, the Regional Director of the United Nations Population Fund for the Arab States region, said that he had repeatedly called for the need to protect all civilians during conflicts, especially women, girls and the most vulnerable groups.
In a statement, Shabana said: “Stop the killing of women. The killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh while carrying out her duty is further evidence of the dangers threatening Palestinian civilians, especially women and girls.”
Shabana pointed out the Killing of Ghada Sabateen, a widow in her forties, and mother of six, who was shot dead while walking at the eastern entrance to the village of Husan in Bethlehem governorate, last month. He also spoke about the killing of the high school student, Hanan Khaddour, who died of her injuries sustained by bullets of the IOF at the entrance to her village in Jenin governorate.
Shabana stressed the need to “take all measures and guarantees to protect civilians, especially women and girls.”
The IOF killed the Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May while covering the occupation storming the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank after an Israeli sniper fired an explosive bullet in her head.
