UN: ‘ Excessive force’ used by Israeli forces in Gaza protest
cowards.” Khuzaa, Gaza Strip, April 6: The UN human rights office said on Friday it has indications that Israeli forces used “excessive force” during a deadly crackdown on protesters last week in Gaza, and is expressing concerns about possible further violence.
S p o k e s w o m a n Elizabeth Throssell noted on Friday that Israeli forces are required under international human rights law to use non- violent means “to the extent possible.”
She said live fire by Israel forces killed 16 people and reportedly wounded more than 1,000 others, many who were unarmed. She also said there were “ominous statements” from Israeli authorities leading up to protest.
Throssell told reporters in Geneva that while some protesters “reportedly used means that could be dangerous,” the protective gear and defensive positions by Israeli security forces “would have mitigated the risk and should not have led to recourse to lethal force.”