Palestinians have been asked to turn over the bullet for analysis
The rifle that killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh may have been identified by the Israeli military, an official says.
A military official said the source of the shot is still unclear but “we have narrowed down the IDF weapon that might be involved in the fire exchange near Shireen”.
Israel has asked Palestinians to turn over the bullet for analysis, AP reported.
Abu Akleh was fatally shot on May 11 while covering an Israeli military raid in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian officials, along with fellow journalists who were with Abu Akleh, said Israeli troops stationed nearby killed her.
The Israeli army said she was shot during a battle between troops and Palestinian gunmen but said it could not be determined who fired the fatal bullet without a proper analysis.
Israel has called for a joint investigation with the Palestinians.
The Palestinians have refused to hand over the bullet, saying they do not trust Israel. They said they are conducting their own investigation and are ready to co-operate with any country except Israel.
The military last week released the results of a preliminary investigation that offered two possible causes of death. It said that in one scenario she may have been hit by Palestinian gunfire during a fierce shoot-out with Israeli troops.
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