MADRID 29 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Palestinian journalist Shaza al Sabagh died this past Saturday in the Jenin refugee camp, in the northern West Bank, during an operation by the security forces of the Palestinian Authority.
Al Sabagh, 22, was shot in the head, according to Palestinian medical sources cited by pan-Arab television Al Jazeera, which attributes his death to a shot by Palestinian agents.
However, a spokesman for the Palestinian security forces told Al Jazeera that there were no members of the security forces in the area where Al Sabagh died. An official statement blames “outlaws” for this death.
However, another spokesman for the security forces, Brigadier General Anuar Rayab, has told the Jordanian news agency Roya News that there is an open investigation into the videos spread on social networks “about the behavior of some of the members of security forces towards civilians”.
Al Sabagh’s family maintains that the journalist was shot by a member of the Palestinian security forces as she left her home. He also maintains that other agents shot at neighbors in the area who came to his aid.
Al Sabagh’s mother has stated in statements to the London-based pan-Arab portal Al Arabi al Yadid (The New Arab) that there were no militiamen in the area and that it was under full control of the security forces at the time of the incident.
The Palestinian Journalists Union has regretted the death of Al Sabagh and has called for an independent commission of inquiry with representation from the union to clarify what happened.
Al Sabagh’s death comes at a time of clashes in Jenin between Palestinian Authority forces and militants from armed factions. The security offensive began on December 11 and so far there are eleven dead, including six civilians and five members of the security forces. Among the deceased are two minors.