JERUSALEM, Could 13 (Reuters) – Israeli law enforcement officials charged at Palestinian mourners carrying the coffin of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on Friday, earlier than 1000’s led her casket by way of Jerusalem’s Outdated Metropolis in an outpouring of grief and anger over her killing.

Packed round Abu Akleh’s coffin, dozens of Palestinians, some waving Palestinian flags and chanting, “with our soul and blood we’ll redeem you Shireen,” started strolling towards the gates of St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Israeli law enforcement officials, in an obvious bid to cease them continuing by foot moderately than taking the coffin by automotive, burst by way of the courtyard gates and charged on the crowd, some beating pallbearers with batons and kicking them.

At one level the group carrying her coffin backed towards a wall and nearly dropped the casket, recovering it simply earlier than one finish hit the bottom as stun grenades detonated.

The violent scenes, which lasted solely minutes, added to Palestinian outrage over Abu Akleh’s killing, which has threatened to gasoline violence that has surged since March.

Abu Akleh, who had coated Palestinian affairs and the Center East for greater than 20 years, was shot whereas reporting on an Israeli raid within the occupied West Financial institution on Wednesday. learn extra

Palestinian authorities have described Abu Akleh’s killing as an assassination by Israeli forces. Israel’s authorities initially recommended Palestinian hearth may need been accountable, however officers have additionally mentioned they may not rule out it was Israeli gunfire that killed her.

Israeli police mentioned a bunch of Palestinians outdoors the hospital, whom they described as rioters, had begun throwing stones at officers.

“The policemen had been pressured to behave,” they added.

The White Home discovered the photographs disturbing, press secretary Jen Psaki informed reporters, and U.S. officers will stay in shut contact with Israeli and Palestinian authorities within the aftermath of Akleh’s funeral.

“Each household deserves to have the ability to lay their family members to relaxation in a dignified and unimpeded method,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned.

Egypt, Qatar and Al Jazeera condemned the police’s conduct. Deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq mentioned the scenes had been “very stunning” and the EU mentioned it was appalled.

A couple of minutes after police intervened, Abu Akleh’s coffin was positioned in a automobile that headed towards the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Virgin in Jerusalem’s Walled Outdated Metropolis, the place the funeral ceremony proceeded peacefully.

Crowds of Palestinians lined the slim alleyways of the Outdated Metropolis because the coffin was carried to the Mount Zion Cemetery close by.

Her grave was coated in wreaths and the Palestinian flag draped over the grave cross as mourners surrounded it solemnly, paying tribute to Abu Akleh.

“We’re right here as a result of we’re screaming for justice. Justice for Shireen Abu Akleh and justice for Palestine,” mentioned one mourner, who didn’t need to be recognized by title.

INVESTIGATIONS AND RAIDS

The Israeli army mentioned on Friday that its preliminary investigation “concluded that it isn’t potential to unequivocally decide the supply of the gunfire which hit and killed Ms. Abu Akleh.”

She might have been killed by photographs fired by Palestinian militants taking pictures at Israeli army autos or been hit inadvertently by an Israeli soldier returning hearth, it mentioned.

The Palestinian Legal professional Common’s workplace issued an announcement on Friday during which it mentioned preliminary investigations have discovered that the only supply of gunfire within the space the place Abu Akleh was damage was Israeli.

In an announcement, agreed by consensus on Friday, the 15-member U.N. Safety Council strongly condemned the killing and referred to as for an “fast, thorough, clear, and honest and neutral investigation.”

Israeli forces on Friday resumed raids on the outskirts of Jenin, the place Abu Akleh was killed, and the Palestinian Well being Ministry mentioned 13 Palestinians had been wounded.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group in the meantime claimed duty for the demise of an Israeli police officer in an change of gunfire in Jenin.

A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, mentioned occasions in Jerusalem and Jenin might push the edges into critical escalation.

Abu Akleh’s demise has drawn widespread condemnation. Video footage from the moments after she was shot confirmed Abu Akleh, 51, sporting a blue vest marked “Press”.

At the very least two of her colleagues who had been together with her mentioned that that they had come below Israeli sniper hearth and that they weren’t near militants.

Israel, which has voiced remorse at Abu Akleh’s demise, has proposed a joint investigation with the Palestinians, asking them to supply the bullet for examination.

The Palestinians have rejected the Israeli request and have referred to as for a global investigation.

Reporting by Maayan Lubell and Rami Amichay in Jerusalem; Ali Sawafta in Ramallah and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza; Andrew Mills in Doha, Michelle Nichols in New York, Steve Holland and Jeff Mason in Washington and Costas Pitas in Los Angeles; Modifying by Andrew Heavens, Jon Boyle, Alistair Bell and Himani Sarkar

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.