Israel’s military has repeatedly warned that anyone approaching or trying to damage the security fence risks his life.
By: AP and United with Israel Staff
Palestinians converged on the Gaza border with Israel for a fifth round of weekly protests Friday, some throwing stones and burning tires, as a top UN official urged Israel to refrain from using excessive force against them.
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the United Nations’s high commissioner for human rights, said Israeli troops have not heeded warnings by the UN and others, and have “repeatedly using lethal force against unarmed protesters” over the past month.
Since the Gaza marches began, 35 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,500 wounded by Israeli soldiers firing from across the border fence, according to Gaza health officials. Among those killed were four minors, including a 14-year-old boy.
“The loss of life is deplorable, and the staggering number of injuries caused by live ammunition only confirms the sense that excessive force has been used against demonstrators – not once, not twice, but repeatedly,” the commissioner said.
Since late March, tens of thousands have demonstrated every Friday in five protest tent camps, each set up several hundred meters from the border fence. Smaller groups have moved toward the fence, throwing stones, burning tires or hurling firebombs.
Israeli soldiers, including snipers taking cover behind sand berms, have fired tear gas, rubber-coated steel pellets and live rounds.
On Friday afternoon, hundreds of protesters gathered at a tent camp east of Gaza City. Some burned tires and threw stones near the fence. Israeli troops fired intensive volleys of tear gas, some canisters landing 300 meters (yards) inside Gaza. A few gunshots were heard. A similar scene played out in another camp in southeastern Gaza.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said 25 people were hurt but did not give a breakdown by types of injury.
Israel’s military has said troops are under orders to target “instigators,” but has also warned that anyone approaching or trying to damage the fence risks his life.
Protests Cover for Attacks on Border
Israel has accused Hamas of using the protests as cover for attacks on the border, including planting explosives near the fence. Israel says it has the right to defend its border, including nearby communities.
Despite the fact that tens of thousands of Palestinians – many armed and affiliated with terrorist organizations – have converged on the border with Israel, attempting to break the security fence and infiltrate Israeli territory, the UN human rights commissioner said Friday that “it is difficult to see” how throwing stones, burning tires or even hurling firebombs from a distance at heavily protected security forces in defensive positions could be seen as life-threatening.
Israel and Egypt imposed the Gaza blockade in 2007, in response to a violent takeover of the territory by Hamas.
Gaza organizers say that in addition to compelling an end to the blockade, the marches are meant to press for the “right of return” of “refugees” and their descendants to what is now Israel. They have made conflicting statements about whether they plan a mass border breach at some point.
