Shireen Abu Akleh, who is also a US citizen, regularly reported on-camera from across the Palestinian territories. AP

The 57 House members, largely left-leaning Democrats and led by Representative Andre Carson, noted that Shireen Abu Akleh held US citizenship and pointed to divergent accounts on how she died on May 11.

READ MORE

Palestinian female reporter for Al Jazeera killed by Israeli forces in West Bank

Israeli police beat Pallbearers at Al Jazeera journalist's funeral

Israel arrests pallbearer beaten at journalist's funeral

"As an American, Ms. Abu Akleh was entitled to the full protection afforded to US citizens living abroad," they wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh is seen on the ground after being shot in the face in Jenin on May 11. AFP

Al Jazeera and Palestinians say Israeli forces killed Abu Akleh, a prominent journalist, as she covered an Israeli army raid in Jenin, in the north of the occupied West Bank.

Israel says she may have been killed by Palestinian gunfire or a stray shot from an Israeli soldier.

The Israeli ambassador to Washington, Michael Herzog, said he was "disheartened" by the letter and that Israel had sought a joint investigation with the Palestinian Authority that would include a US observer role.

"Our call was flatly rejected by the PA, which is cynically using Ms. Abu Akleh's death to instigate an anti-Israel propaganda campaign," he said.

Children take part in a candlelight vigil to condemn the killing of veteran journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Gaza. AFP

He called instead for Congress to press the Palestinian side on an investigation, adding that Israeli troops "would never intentionally target members of the press."

The State Department has said that it believes Israel can conduct a credible investigation but Blinken has also criticised the Israeli police for its use of force during Abu Akleh's funeral.

Agence France-Presse