Shireen Abu Akleh: Riots at funeral of slain Al Jazeera reporter

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Mourners carry the coffin containing the body of Shireen Abu Akleh

Photo: Amir Levy/Getty Images

The funeral service for journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was overshadowed by riots in Jerusalem.

During the funeral procession for the Al Jazeera reporter, hundreds of violent protesters threw stones at security forces, according to Israeli police.

According to Palestinian sources, the police threw stun grenades.

Mounted and unmounted police officers attacked the mourners, it said.

Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot dead in the West Bank, was buried in a Christian Orthodox cemetery next to the old city.

Thousands of people came to the funeral.

The journalist (read a portrait here) was shot dead during an Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday.

It was initially unclear who was responsible for the death of the 51-year-old, who is well known in the Arab world.

The Israeli army on Wednesday reported a fierce firefight involving dozens of Palestinian militants during a raid in Jenin.

Israel's army released interim results of its investigation into the process on Friday, according to which it is not currently possible to "definitely" say where the fatal shot came from.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, on the other hand, holds Israel responsible and spoke of a "crime of execution".

Israel has denied the allegations and called for a joint investigation.

However, the Palestinians have refused.

Israeli border guard killed

An Israeli border police officer was fatally injured in confrontations with armed Palestinians in the West Bank, according to Israeli sources.

During an anti-terrorist operation near Jenin, armed attackers fired on the security forces and threw explosives, the police and army said.

The soldiers fired back.

The 47-year-old officer was injured when leaving Burkin and taken to the hospital.

as/dpa