Mourners gather for the funeral of Mohammed Alasibi, 26, who was killed by Israeli police in Jerusalem's Old City. AP
Mourners gather for the funeral of Mohammed Alasibi, 26, who was killed by Israeli police in Jerusalem's Old City. AP
Mourners gather for the funeral of Mohammed Alasibi, 26, who was killed by Israeli police in Jerusalem's Old City. AP
Mourners gather for the funeral of Mohammed Alasibi, 26, who was killed by Israeli police in Jerusalem's Old City. AP

Israel ends probe into fatal shooting of Arab man near Al Aqsa Mosque


Thomas Helm
  • English
  • Arabic

Israel's State Prosecutors Office said it has closed an investigation into the police shooting of an Arab man near Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque two weeks ago.

The investigation by the Police Internal Investigations Department was closed because of “the lack of an offence”, the state attorney's office said on Thursday.

It said there was “clear, direct and concrete evidence that no crime was committed” by the officers.

Police said they acted in self-defence after Mohammed Elasibi, 26, grabbed an officer's gun and fired at personnel.

The family dispute this version of events, however, accusing the police of carrying out a “cold-blooded killing”.

The case has caused a great deal of contention, with witnesses largely disputing accounts from the police and questioning why they have not released CCTV footage of the incident.

Politician Aida Touma-Sliman, of the Hadash-Ta'al party, accused authorities of ignoring “cameras which surprisingly disappeared”.

Police maintained that no cameras captured the killing. They later released a report that said Elasibi’s DNA was found on a police firearm.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir praised the decision to close the investigation.

Mr Ben-Gvir said it was “good that the prosecution accepted the testimony of the brave police officers who neutralised a terrorist attempting an attack” at the site.

Elasibi’s family say he was an innocent medical student with no history of radical views.

After the killing, Israel's Arab community launched a one-day general strike in protest.

Israeli police attack worshippers at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque — in pictures

  • Palestinians clean up Al Aqsa Mosque compound after Israeli police stormed the site. Reuters
    Palestinians clean up Al Aqsa Mosque compound after Israeli police stormed the site. Reuters
  • Palestinians clear the damaged furniture from the mosque compound. Reuters
    Palestinians clear the damaged furniture from the mosque compound. Reuters
  • Israeli police say the attack was in response to rioting. Reuters
    Israeli police say the attack was in response to rioting. Reuters
  • Palestinian worshippers pray as Israeli police officials stand guard at Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AP
    Palestinian worshippers pray as Israeli police officials stand guard at Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AP
  • A worshipper sweeps the debris in the aftermath of the attack by Israeli police. AP
    A worshipper sweeps the debris in the aftermath of the attack by Israeli police. AP
  • Israeli Border Police near the Damascus Gate. AP
    Israeli Border Police near the Damascus Gate. AP
  • The operation by Israeli police has been condemned across the region. Reuters
    The operation by Israeli police has been condemned across the region. Reuters
  • Palestinians pray inside Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Reuters
    Palestinians pray inside Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Reuters
  • A Palestinian worshipper is led away by Israeli police at Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AP
    A Palestinian worshipper is led away by Israeli police at Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AP
  • A Palestinian worshipper is surrounded by Israeli policemen at the compound. Reuters
    A Palestinian worshipper is surrounded by Israeli policemen at the compound. Reuters
Updated: April 14, 2023, 11:35 AM