by UN Secretary General António Guterres says he is “appalled” by Wednesday’s killing of veteran Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Aqla.
He also called for an independent investigation into her death.
Abu Aqla, 51, died while covering a raid by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. Her producer was injured.
Al Jazeera said Israeli troops “deliberately” shot her. Israel’s prime minister said it was “likely” she was shot by Palestinian gunmen.
The prime minister, Naftali Bennett, called for a joint post mortem and investigation with the Palestinians, but on Thursday Palestinian Authority Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh said the request had been refused.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he held the Israeli government fully responsible for what he described as a “crime of execution”.
In a statement issued via his spokesperson late on Wednesday, Mr Guterres called on “the relevant authorities to carry out an independent and transparent investigation into this incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
“The secretary general condemns all attacks and killings of journalists and stresses that journalists must never be the target of violence,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki wrote on Twitter that Americans were “heartbroken to learn of the killing” of Abu Aqla and the injuries to her producer.
“We send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and strongly condemn her killing,” Ms Psaki added, calling her a “reporting legend” who will be “mourned by all who knew her”.
bbc
