Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi on Wednesday offered his condolences to the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad al-Maliki over the death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

During a phone call, Safadi also checked on the health of the Quds reporter Ali Samoudi, who was shot in the back. The two ministers stressed the need to hold the perpetrators of this "heinous crime" accountable.

Safadi described the assassination of Abu Akleh as a "heinous crime and a blatant attack on the freedom of journalism," calling for an immediate and transparent investigation into the crime.

A tweet on his official account said: "May God bless the soul of a professional journalist and voice of truth, who has shed light on the suffering of the Palestinian people."

The minister also offered his condolences to the victim's family and Al Jazeera channel and wished Ali Samoudi a speedy recovery