Brother of Journalist Killed in West Bank Says New Report Reveals US Cover-Up

A renewed allegation of suppression and political compromise

The brother of a Palestinian-American journalist shot dead in the occupied West Bank three years ago has accused the United States government of covering up the truth about her killing. His claim follows the release of new details from a retired American military officer who allegedly concluded that the journalist was deliberately targeted by Israeli forces — a finding that, according to the officer, was later softened or concealed by senior U.S. officials.

The journalist, a veteran correspondent covering conflict in the region, was killed in May 2022 while reporting on an Israeli military raid in the Jenin refugee camp. Her death, which drew global outcry, came to symbolize both the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones and the chronic lack of accountability when reporters are harmed while covering military operations.

Now, this new account — reportedly based on the internal assessment of a U.S. Army colonel who reviewed ballistic evidence, eyewitness testimonies, and video footage — raises fresh questions about political pressure, transparency, and justice for journalists killed in conflict areas.

The 2022 killing and shifting narratives

The killing occurred on a spring morning during an Israeli raid in Jenin, a site that has witnessed repeated armed confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants. According to eyewitnesses at the time, the journalist and several colleagues — all clearly identifiable as members of the press — were pinned down by gunfire as they attempted to document the operation. She was struck by a single bullet in the head despite wearing a blue vest emblazoned with the word “PRESS.” A colleague standing nearby was wounded but survived.

Initial accounts from Israeli authorities suggested that Palestinian gunmen may have been responsible. That narrative shifted within days after international analysis of the available footage and independent media investigations indicated that the fatal shot likely came from Israeli troops stationed in the area. Washington, after conducting what it described as an “independent analysis,” concluded that while an Israeli soldier was likely responsible, there was no evidence the journalist had been deliberately targeted.

It is this conclusion that is now at the center of a growing controversy.

New revelations from a U.S. colonel

According to reports emerging in recent weeks, a senior U.S. Army officer who reviewed the full body of evidence in 2022 privately concluded that the journalist had been “deliberately and precisely targeted.” The officer, a colonel with experience in combat zone investigations, allegedly presented his findings to superiors in the U.S. defense and diplomatic establishment. His conclusion reportedly contradicted the final language adopted in the government’s public statement at the time.

In his newly revealed comments, the officer claims that his conclusions were softened to prevent diplomatic fallout with Israel — a key U.S. ally in the region. The colonel’s claim has not been independently verified, but his statements have reignited debate among human rights advocates and press freedom organizations, who have long accused Washington of avoiding tough accountability measures when American citizens are harmed overseas in politically sensitive incidents.

Family’s renewed call for accountability

The journalist’s brother, himself a U.S. citizen, responded to these revelations by accusing the administration of having “whitewashed” the investigation. Speaking in Washington, he said the government’s handling of the case “betrayed its duty to seek justice for one of its citizens.” He argued that the failure to hold anyone accountable has perpetuated a climate of impunity, encouraging further violence against journalists who report from conflict areas, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The family has been pursuing accountability through multiple channels for more than three years, including appeals to the U.S. Department of Justice, the International Criminal Court, and independent human rights organizations. Their efforts have received widespread support from press freedom advocates, who have repeatedly pressed for greater transparency from both U.S. and Israeli authorities.

Broader implications for U.S.–Israel relations

The revelation comes at a sensitive time for U.S.–Israel relations, which have faced international scrutiny amid ongoing tensions in the West Bank and Gaza. Washington continues to provide substantial military assistance to Israel, and past administrations have been cautious about taking steps that might be viewed as punitive or confrontational toward the Israeli government.

Analysts note that the episode underscores the difficult balancing act faced by U.S. policymakers: maintaining a strategic alliance with Israel while responding to public demands for accountability in cases involving American citizens. Historically, the U.S. government has often avoided characterizing such incidents as intentional to prevent diplomatic crises, a strategy that critics say compromises core principles of justice and human rights.

The controversy may also influence broader debates about U.S. policy toward civilian protection and press freedom in conflict zones, as well as the standards set for investigations involving allied militaries.

The recurring dangers for journalists in conflict zones

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, dozens of reporters have been killed or injured in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the last decade alone, many while prominently identifying themselves as journalists. Despite international conventions that are supposed to offer protection to members of the press working in war zones, accountability remains elusive.

In her case, several independent forensic analyses — including those conducted by international media outlets and human rights groups — concluded that the bullet that killed her matched the type of ammunition used by Israeli soldiers. The Israeli military later acknowledged that one of its soldiers “likely” shot her but denied any intent, calling it an unintended consequence of combat conditions. That explanation was met with skepticism from journalists, rights groups, and multiple governments, who pointed to consistent witness testimony and precise targeting patterns that suggested otherwise.

Historical context of investigations into journalist killings

Throughout modern conflicts, journalists have been killed while covering sensitive military operations — from the Gulf War to the Syrian civil war — often with little or no accountability. In the Israeli-Palestinian context, several reporters have died in circumstances similar to the 2022 case, with official inquiries rarely producing criminal charges or disciplinary measures.

These outcomes have perpetuated concerns that established legal mechanisms fail to protect journalists in militarized areas, particularly when powerful allies influence the investigative process. The new U.S. allegations add weight to those concerns, implying that even internal findings may be subject to political revision.

International law experts point out that under U.S. and international statutes, an intentional killing of a civilian, including a journalist, during armed conflict could constitute a war crime. However, the threshold for proving intent is high, requiring more than circumstantial evidence — a challenge that often stymies prosecutions.

Public reaction and media response

Following the latest revelations, press freedom organizations around the world renewed demands for transparency. The International Federation of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, and the Committee to Protect Journalists each called for an independent, public release of the U.S. colonel’s findings. Palestinian media unions and several U.S.-based journalist associations echoed similar calls, asserting that the credibility of Washington’s commitment to press protection was at stake.

Social media has also seen an outpouring of renewed outrage, with many users sharing images of the journalist’s final assignment and calling for justice more than three years after her death. Vigils and memorial services held in cities including Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Washington D.C. have drawn new crowds, reflecting the enduring emotional resonance of her story.

The ongoing search for justice

With the emergence of this new testimony, the pressure on U.S. authorities to revisit the case is building. Members of Congress have periodically urged greater transparency but have yet to secure a formal inquiry independent of the executive branch. Legal experts suggest that renewed calls for congressional hearings or a fresh Justice Department review could grow in the months ahead, particularly if the colonel’s account is substantiated.

The journalist’s family insists they will not relent until an impartial investigation is made public and those responsible are held to account. “We are not seeking vengeance,” her brother said. “We are demanding truth — for her, for every journalist who risks their life to report it, and for every citizen who deserves to know it.”

The new allegations have once again placed a spotlight on a case that continues to test the credibility of official investigations, the limits of political alliances, and the global pursuit of justice for journalists killed in war. Whether this renewed pressure results in accountability remains uncertain — but the public’s demand for transparency has never been louder.