Israeli Bullet Killed Al-Jazeera Correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh, Journalism Investigations Report
Plus: Israel dissolves parliament, Lebanon's Parliament designates Mikati to form the next government, Egypt and Saudi Arabia sign economic agreements worth $7.7 billion, and much more.
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Israeli bullet killed Shireen Abu Akleh, journalism investigations report
A monthlong investigation by The New York Times found that the bullet that killed Shireen Abu Akleh was fired from the approximate location of the Israeli military convoy, most likely by a soldier from an elite unit.
The evidence reviewed by The New York Times showed that there were no armed Palestinians near her when she was shot. It contradicted Israeli claims that if a soldier had mistakenly killed her, it was because he had been shooting at a Palestinian gunman.
Furthermore, an investigation by Al Jazeera has obtained an image of the bullet used to kill the network’s journalist.
For the first time, the photograph shows the type of ammunition used to kill the veteran Al Jazeera correspondent in the occupied West Bank last month.
According to ballistic and forensic experts, the green-tipped bullet was designed to pierce armor and is used in an M4 rifle. The round was extracted from her head.
The bullet was analyzed using 3D models, and according to experts, it was a 5.56mm caliber – the same used by Israeli forces. The round was designed and manufactured in the United States, experts said.
Read more on The New York Times and Al-Jazeera.
Israel dissolves parliament, declares new elections in October
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid agreed on Monday, June 20, to dissolve the Israeli parliament next week. Israel will see its fifth election in just three-and-a-half years.
In a joint statement, Bennett and Lapid said they would bring on Monday a proposal to disperse the Knesset, which means that new elections will take place at the end of October, with a possible comeback by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already dominating the campaign.
The coalition had lost its majority mainly over the government failing to extend regulations implementing Israeli criminal law over West Bank settlements. Bennett realized that the regulations couldn't be extended outside Knesset's approval and thus decided to go ahead and disperse the Knesset.
Lebanon's parliamentary blocs designate Mikati to form the next government
Lebanon's new legislature voted caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in for another term Thursday, June 23, by a wide margin over the other main contender, former UN ambassador Nawaf Salam. More MPs cast blank votes in protest against the available options than voted for Salam.
In the final count, 54 MPs cast votes for Mikati, while some 25 deputies cast votes for Salam.
Mikati will now be tasked with forming a government, an often-arduous — and sometimes impossible — task.
His predecessor, Saad Hariri, stepped down last year after trying for nine months unsuccessfully to reach an agreement with Aoun on a cabinet lineup. Hariri then announced his complete withdrawal from politics earlier this year.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia sign economic agreements worth $7.7 billion
Egypt and Saudi Arabia signed billions of dollars worth of agreements on Tuesday, June 21, on the environment, commerce, and more.
Saudi Commerce Minister Majid al-Qasabi said the two allies signed 14 investment deals worth $7.7 billion in total. The agreements relate to the development of renewable energy, including green hydrogen, as well as infrastructure and e-commerce,
Saudi Arabia and Egypt are close political, military, and economic allies.
Trade between Egypt and Saudi Arabia amounted to $8 billion in 2021.
Egypt could particularly benefit from Saudi investment in infrastructure. Many Egyptian structures lack proper oversight, which has contributed to deadly building collapses in the country.
Green hydrogen is increasingly sought after across the Middle East and North Africa. The United Arab Emirates and Morocco are both investing in the energy form.
Russia and Turkey to pursue talks on Ukraine grain exports
Russia and Turkey agreed to pursue talks on a potential safe sea corridor in the Black Sea to export grain from Ukraine after discussions in Moscow, the Russian and Turkish defense ministries said on Wednesday, June 23.
In a statement, Turkey's defense ministry said a Turkish dry cargo vessel, the Azov Concord, had also safely left Mariupol due to the talks and added the ship was the first foreign ship to leave the port since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
While Moscow wants certain Western sanctions lifted to help facilitate grain and fertilizer exports, Kyiv seeks security guarantees for its ports to agree the U.N.-led plan. Ukraine has also said no agreement can be reached without its approval.
Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt sign gas import agreement
Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt on Tuesday agreed to ship 650 million cubic meters of natural gas per year from Egypt to Lebanon via Syria, part of a U.S.-backed effort to address Lebanon's crippling blackouts with electricity and gas transfers.
The deal could add some 450 megawatts or around four extra hours of power per day to Lebanon's grid.
The deal also still requires the approval of the World Bank, which has pledged financing, and the United States for compliance with its Syria sanctions regime.
Afghanistan earthquake kills at least 100, injures dozens more
A 9-magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan killed at least 100 people and injured dozens more on Wednesday, June 23, with the toll expected to rise as rescuers reach remote areas.
Afghanistan is frequently hit by earthquakes – especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, which lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
That's all for this week. Thanks for reading Inshallah. Share this article and subscribe to be up to date about news from the Middle East every week. It's free.
About me
My name is Dario Sabaghi, a freelance journalist. I am interested in human rights and international news focusing on the MENA region.
Check out my work at dariosabaghi.com.
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Cover photo: Al-Jazeera