Israel Will Not Cooperate with FBI Inquiry Into Killing of Abu Akleh

Slain Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh - AFP
Slain Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh - AFP
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Israel Will Not Cooperate with FBI Inquiry Into Killing of Abu Akleh

Slain Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh - AFP
Slain Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh - AFP

Israel will not cooperate with the investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed while covering a military raid on the West Bank city of Jenin in May.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said in a statement Monday that Israel has published its own probe and will not cooperate with the proceedings.

He stressed that Israel made it clear to the US representatives that it stands behind Israeli soldiers and we will not cooperate with any external investigation.

Gantz denounced the inquiry as “interference in Israel’s internal affairs.”

"The decision of the US Department of Justice to investigate the unfortunate death of Shireen Abu Akleh is a grave mistake," said Gantz.

The 51-year-old Palestinian-US reporter, was wearing a press vest and helmet and standing when she was shot in the head by a sniper during an Israeli raid in the West Bank.

Palestinian authorities accused Israel of killing Abu Akleh, however Israeli probe into the matter claimed that she was killed by mistake.

The Abu Akleh family recently called the US announcement “an important step toward accountability and gets our family closer to justice for Shireen.”



US Sanctions Russia-Based Network for Helping Yemen’s Houthis

Houthi supporters attend a protest against US airstrikes on Houthi positions, on al-Quds Day in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 March 2025. (EPA)
Houthi supporters attend a protest against US airstrikes on Houthi positions, on al-Quds Day in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 March 2025. (EPA)
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US Sanctions Russia-Based Network for Helping Yemen’s Houthis

Houthi supporters attend a protest against US airstrikes on Houthi positions, on al-Quds Day in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 March 2025. (EPA)
Houthi supporters attend a protest against US airstrikes on Houthi positions, on al-Quds Day in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 March 2025. (EPA)

The United States imposed sanctions on Wednesday on Russia-based people and entities working to help procure weapons and commodities - including stolen Ukrainian grain - for Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, the Treasury Department said.

The operatives, who included Russia-based Afghan businessman Hushang Ghairat and his brother, Russia-based Afghan businessman Sohrab Ghairat, helped senior Houthi official Sa’id al-Jamal, procure millions of dollars’ worth of commodities from Russia for shipment to Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, Treasury said.

The goods included weapons and sensitive goods, as well as stolen Ukrainian grain, the department said in a statement.

"The Houthis remain reliant on Sa’id al-Jamal and his network to procure critical goods to supply the group’s terrorist war machine," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. "Today’s action underscores our commitment to degrading the Houthis’ ability to threaten the region through their destabilizing activities."