Reuters demands Israeli account

Shana, 24, a Palestinian, was killed on 16 April along with eight mostly teenage bystanders by darts known as flechettes that burst out of a tank shell in mid-air. He had been filming about 1.5 km from two Israeli tanks.

He was wearing blue body armour bearing the word “Press” on fluorescent strips. His vehicle also bore “TV” and “Press” markings.

The Israeli army said it had completed an initial field investigation that had determined the soldiers had followed orders and acted appropriately. But military lawyers still had to study the case before the army could give a full account.

“A month has passed since Fadel Shana was killed by Israeli forces while responsibly going about his professional duties,” said Reuters’ Middle East managing editor Mark Thompson.

“We urge the IDF to release its report on the incident now so that media organisations and the military can cooperate on ways to ensure journalists can continue to cover this conflict.”

Independent investigators commissioned by Reuters have prepared their own preliminary report on the incident, which raises serious questions over why the tank opened fire. ■