Israel rejects excessive force claims as Gaza death toll rises to 18
GAZA, PALESTINIAN TERRITORY — Israel’s military rejected new allegations of unlawful use of force against unarmed Palestinians during mass protests in
Gaza last week, as the Palestinian death toll rose to 18.
Israeli troops prevented a mass breach of the border fence and an attempt by Gaza’s Islamic militant Hamas to “drag us into a catastrophe,” said Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis, an army spokesman. He denied soldiers acted unlawfully, but said some mistakes might have been made and would be investigated. Israel’s defence minister had previously rejected international calls for an independent investigation.
Hamas, which organized Friday’s mass march, has not said if the final aim of future protests — to be staged off and on for the next six weeks — is a mass breach of the border fence. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday hinted at an escalation, saying last Friday’s protests had a “limit,” but that it’s not clear where that limit would be next time. In Friday’s march, thousands of Palestinians — Israel estimated a turnout of 35,000 — headed toward the border area along several points from the north to the south of Gaza. Smaller groups moved closer to the border fence, throwing stones, hurling firebombs or burning tires.
Manelis alleged Monday that Hamas staged the mass march as a cover for attacks. He said there were five attempts to cross the fence, including with cutters, and that three explosives were planted. He said at least 11 of those killed were members of militant groups, including two who opened fire on soldiers near the border.
The military’s open-fire policies came under more scrutiny as amateur videos emerged purportedly showing two Palestinians being shot — one killed and one wounded — while not posing any apparent immediate threat to soldiers. In one video posted on social media, a young man later identified as Abdelfatah Abdelnabi is seen being fatally shot from behind while carrying a tire as he ran away from the border.
Majd al-Omari, who filmed the incident on his smartphone, told The Associated Press on Monday that just before the shooting, Abdelnabi had been involved in burning tires about 200 metres (yards) from the fence. Manelis said that the man in the video “had carried out acts of terror along the fence for several hours,” an apparent reference to the burning of tires, but said the incident would be investigated by the military.
In another video, a man is seen kneeling on the ground in the first of two rows of worshippers Friday, facing the fence at a distance of 150 to 200 metres (yards). Suddenly, he stands up, limps a few meters, collapses and is carried away by young men who shout “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is Great.” Adli Abu Taha, who filmed the incident on his mobile phone, said the man, later identified as Ibrahim Abu Shanab, had thrown stones close to the fence before joining the group for prayers. Local hospital records indicate Abu Shanab was shot in the leg. Manelis alleged that the video was fabricated, but did not explain further. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Monday that the number of Palestinians killed Friday rose to 18, after a 29-year-old man died of his injuries. The ministry has said 758 people were wounded by live fire — a figure disputed by Manelis, who believed several dozen Palestinians at most were wounded.