# Biden Whistleblower: U.S. Covered Up Israel’s Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6S5APd8aa0
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/y6S5APd8aa0
Generated: 2025-11-06T15:32:28.76+00:00

---
## Quick Overview

Retired US Army Colonel Steve Gabavics confirms that his investigation, detailed in the Zeteo documentary "Who Killed Shireen?", concluded that the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh was an intentional act by an Israeli soldier, Alan Skadgio, and that the US government mishandled the cover-up, failing to pressure Israel for accountability or cut aid despite knowing the facts.

**Key Points:**
- Gabavics' investigation, documented in "Who Killed Shireen?", found that Israeli soldier Alan Skadgio intentionally killed Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May 2022.
- Gabavics asserts that the US government, including the Biden administration, mishandled the situation by failing to publicly press Israel for accountability or stop military aid.
- The investigation team, including an anonymous source and a former military police senior investigator/homicide detective, gathered evidence like ballistics and optical components to determine the shooter's line of sight.
- Gabavics notes that the Israeli military (IDF) provided an initial story that differed from the findings and that Israeli officials, including former PM Naftali Bennett, denied raising the issue with the US.
- The political climate, exacerbated by the fighting in Gaza since October 7th, has led to a more anti-Israel public opinion in the US, which Gabavics believes creates an opportunity for accountability.
- Gabavics, a 30-year military police officer, states his assessment concluded the killing was intentional, exceeding the standard of 'beyond a reasonable doubt' in a criminal court.

![Screenshot at 04:04: Steve Gabavics details the evidence reviewed during his investigation, including optical components and projectile trajectory, to determine the exact location and nature of Shireen Abu Akleh's killing.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/y6S5APd8aa0/00-04-04.png)

**Context:** This video features an interview on the Zeteo program "Mehdi Unfiltered" between host Mehdi Hasan and guest Steve Gabavics, a retired US Army Colonel. Gabavics discusses the findings of an investigative documentary he produced, "Who Killed Shireen?", which focused on the May 2022 killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist, and the subsequent handling of the incident by the US government and Israeli authorities.

## Detailed Analysis

The discussion centers on the investigative documentary "Who Killed Shireen?" released in May 2023, which identified Israeli soldier Alan Skadgio as the person who intentionally killed journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May 2022. Gabavics, who led the investigation, states that his team, utilizing expert analysis (including a former military police senior investigator/homicide detective and an anonymous source), concluded the killing was intentional, not accidental or collateral damage. Gabavics criticizes the Biden administration for mishandling the aftermath, specifically for not publicly pressing Israel for accountability or conditioning aid, despite having evidence supporting the intentional nature of the killing, which he believes meets a criminal standard of proof. Gabavics also mentions receiving pushback from Israeli officials, including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who denied raising the issue with the US, and General Fuks, who allegedly told Gabavics the incident was an accident. Gabavics notes that US intelligence and military bodies seemed unwilling to hold Israel accountable, contrasting this with the clear line of sight evidence gathered by his team. He concludes that public opinion in the US is shifting against Israel, which may create pressure for future accountability.

### Documentary Findings

- The film identified Alan Skadgio as the IDF soldier who intentionally killed Shireen Abu Akleh on May 11, 2022
- The investigation used ballistics, trajectory analysis, and optical evidence to prove intent
- The killing was deemed intentional, not an accident or collateral damage.

### US Government Response

- Gabavics criticizes the Biden administration for failing to publicly hold Israel accountable or condition aid, despite having evidence suggesting intent
- The administration's statement that they would hold Israel accountable was not followed up with action, leading to disappointment for Gabavics.

### Israeli Response & Leaks

- Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett denied discussing the killing with the US
- Israeli military officials initially claimed it was an accident, contradicting the investigation's findings
- Gabavics noted that Israeli military units were not forthcoming with information.

### Gabavics' Background and Motivation

- Gabavics is a retired US Army Colonel with 27 years of service, including roles as a military police officer and homicide detective
- He felt compelled to conduct the investigation for two years to satisfy his conscience and seek justice, believing the US relationship with Israel was prioritized over accountability.

![Screenshot at 00:00: Host Mehdi Hasan introduces the topic, referencing the documentary "Who Killed Shireen?" and the Israeli soldier allegedly responsible.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/y6S5APd8aa0/00-00-00.png)
![Screenshot at 00:06: Footage from the documentary shows two men at gravesites, likely in a cemetery, with Israeli flags visible.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/y6S5APd8aa0/00-00-06.png)
![Screenshot at 00:31: A silhouette graphic appears as a source is quoted, discussing the US administration's failure to publicly state the killing was intentional.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/y6S5APd8aa0/00-00-31.png)
![Screenshot at 00:37: An interviewee, identified as Steve Gabavics \(Ret. US Army Colonel\), begins discussing the Biden administration's handling of the case.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/y6S5APd8aa0/00-00-37.png)
![Screenshot at 01:03: The studio shot displays the "Mehdi Unfiltered" desk with screens showing the White House and another government building in Washington D.C.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/y6S5APd8aa0/00-01-03.png)
![Screenshot at 02:22: Gabavics explains his role in the on-the-ground US investigation into Shireen Abu Akleh's killing.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/y6S5APd8aa0/00-02-22.png)
![Screenshot at 04:41: Mehdi Hasan appears in a closing segment against a backdrop of the White House, urging viewers to subscribe to Zeteo.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/y6S5APd8aa0/00-04-41.png)
![Screenshot at 09:47: The interview scene shows Mehdi Hasan pressing Gabavics about the details of the investigation regarding the Israeli soldier's actions.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/y6S5APd8aa0/00-09-47.png)