The investigation details conflicting narratives surrounding the incident, igniting renewed scrutiny of Israel's military practices and its implications for U.S.-Israel relations.
New Documentary Names Soldier in Shireen Abu Akleh's Death
New Documentary Names Soldier in Shireen Abu Akleh's Death
A recently released documentary has identified the Israeli soldier responsible for the shooting of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed in 2022.
In May 2025, a documentary released by Zeteo News has named Capt. Alon Scagio, an Israeli soldier, as the individual responsible for the shooting of Shireen Abu Akleh, the renowned Palestinian American journalist. This incident took place in the northern West Bank in May 2022, and her death led to widespread condemnation and calls for accountability from across the Middle East and internationally.
Initially, Israeli officials suggested that Abu Akleh might have been struck by fire from Palestinian militants; however, months later, the military acknowledged that an Israeli soldier was likely responsible. The identity of the soldier remained undisclosed until the recent documentary surfaced. Citing an anonymous source, the film revealed Scagio, who was serving as a marksman in an elite commando unit, as the shooter.
Despite the documentary's claims, the Israeli military refrained from confirming Scagio's identity, stating to The New York Times that they had “no definitive determination regarding the identity of the individual responsible for the shooting.” However, they conveyed a request from the Scagio family asking media outlets to refrain from disclosing the captain’s name.
Abu Akleh, who had been a prominent reporter for Al Jazeera, was widely mourned upon her death, which also led to significant political tensions between the U.S. and Israel due to her American citizenship. The Biden administration urged for a thorough investigation into her death, drawing sharp attention to the issue of Israeli military conduct in the West Bank, where the occupation tactics have faced increasing scrutiny from various international observers and human rights organizations.
The fallout from this incident underlines ongoing tensions in the region, with the name of a once-unidentified soldier now at the center of a renewed debate on military accountability and freedom of the press in conflict zones.
Initially, Israeli officials suggested that Abu Akleh might have been struck by fire from Palestinian militants; however, months later, the military acknowledged that an Israeli soldier was likely responsible. The identity of the soldier remained undisclosed until the recent documentary surfaced. Citing an anonymous source, the film revealed Scagio, who was serving as a marksman in an elite commando unit, as the shooter.
Despite the documentary's claims, the Israeli military refrained from confirming Scagio's identity, stating to The New York Times that they had “no definitive determination regarding the identity of the individual responsible for the shooting.” However, they conveyed a request from the Scagio family asking media outlets to refrain from disclosing the captain’s name.
Abu Akleh, who had been a prominent reporter for Al Jazeera, was widely mourned upon her death, which also led to significant political tensions between the U.S. and Israel due to her American citizenship. The Biden administration urged for a thorough investigation into her death, drawing sharp attention to the issue of Israeli military conduct in the West Bank, where the occupation tactics have faced increasing scrutiny from various international observers and human rights organizations.
The fallout from this incident underlines ongoing tensions in the region, with the name of a once-unidentified soldier now at the center of a renewed debate on military accountability and freedom of the press in conflict zones.
