An American-supervised investigation into the death of Shireen Abu Akleh has not provided a clear answer as to who fired the fatal shot at the journalist.

However, the US Security Coordinator (USSC), who led the investigation, concluded, based on Palestinian and Israeli investigations, that Israeli army shelling was likely responsible for Abu Akleh's death.

This coincides with the results of previous assessments of the death of the Al Jazeera correspondent on May 11 in the refugee camp in the Palestinian city of Jenin.

Christian Meier

Political correspondent for the Middle East and Northeast Africa.

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A statement released Monday by the US State Department said the "extremely detailed forensic analysis" by independent experts did not produce a "definitive conclusion" because the bullet was too badly damaged.

In mid-June, the Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera published images of the missile that the Palestinian Authority handed over to the USSC on Saturday evening.

You can see that it was bent.

According to Al Jazeera, this happened when the bullet ricocheted off the inside of the helmet Abu Akleh was wearing when she was shot.

The Palestinians had accused the Israeli army, which was conducting a military operation in Jenin on May 11, of deliberately killing Abu Akleh.

The American statement said the security coordinator "found no reason to believe this was intentional."

Rather, it was the result of "tragic circumstances" during the Israeli military operation that took place in the wake of terrorist attacks in Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said the death of Abu Akleh was blamed on Palestinian "terrorists" who fired on Israeli soldiers.

The army will continue to investigate the reporter's death and feels obliged to "uncover the truth".