During the past four weeks, the Israeli army has responded to Palestinian protesters in Gaza and the West Bank with excessive and disproportionate use of force, including shooting civilians with live ammunition, resulting so far in the killing of 45 people including four children and two journalists and in no less than 5,500 injuries, 1,300 of which from live ammunition. Several other journalists, as well as first aid and medical providers are among the injured. Additionally, the particular nature of the injuries seen, especially over the past couple of weeks, seems to indicate an intent to maim on the part of the sharp-shooters.
As Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated: „It is difficult to see how children, even those throwing stones, can present a threat of imminent death or serious injury to heavily protected security force personnel.“
We condemn Israel’s use of indiscriminate, excessive and lethal force against civilians, in particular children, journalists and medical personnel. We call on Israel to immediately cease unlawful attacks against protected people and to abide by its international obligations, including international humanitarian law.