The UN human rights office on Wednesday said it was "appalled" at the killing of a veteran Al Jazeera reporter in the West Bank and demanded a transparent investigation into her death.

Shireen Abu Akleh, 51, was shot dead as she covered an Israeli army raid.

"We are appalled at the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh while covering an Israeli military operation in Jenin, Palestine," UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet's office said on Twitter, adding: "We urge an independent, transparent investigation into her killing. Impunity must end."

The United States, the international community and neighboring Arab states also called for an investigation into her death on Wednesday.

(With input from agencies)