The Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday night passed an amendment demanding the State Department to provide Senators with the report on the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

The report was overseen by the United States Security Coordinator (USSC) and the amendment to the Department of State Authorisation Act – by Senator Chris Van Hollen – was passed on Wednesday and will now head to the floor for consideration before the full Senate.

Van Hollen has repeatedly pressed for answers regarding the truth behind the killing of Abu Akleh, who was shot in the head on 11 May by Israeli forces, while covering a raid in the occupied West Bank, as she wore a helmet and bulletproof vest marked “Press”.

The US probe into Abu Akleh’s killing held that she was likely killed by gunfire from Israeli positions, but that a “definitive conclusion” on the origin of the bullet that killed her could not be made.

After months of denial, Israel also finally admitted one of its soldiers likely killed the Al Jazeera journalist but in error. Witnesses said that Abu Akleh was targeted in the killing.

“Over 100 days ago, American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed while reporting in the West Bank. Following her death, my colleagues and I requested an independent investigation led by the United States as well as answers to basic questions around her shooting and a copy of the report produced by the U.S. Security Coordinator,” Van Hollen said in a press statement.

“This amendment will ensure that the Senate will receive the USSC report as we requested in July – and I’m glad that it was adopted by the Foreign Relations Committee,” he added.

He pledged to “continue pressing for full accountability and transparency around the death of Shireen” while stressing that “anything less is unacceptable”.

“I will continue pressing for full accountability and transparency around the death of Shireen – anything less is unacceptable.”

The text of the Senator’s amendment states that “not later than 14 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit” a complete copy of the report surrounding the shooting of Abu Akleh to the committee.

Several independent investigations concluded that Abu Akleh was shot by an Israeli soldier.

Eyewitnesses, the Al Jazeera network and the United Nations also stated the dual national was killed by Israeli forces.

Source: Palestine News Agency