Israel kills Gaza protesters as UN body condemns “unlawful” force
A paramedic treats an injured protester during Great March of Return demonstrations east of Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip, on 22 March
Maureen Clare Murphy writes in The Electronic Intifada:
Israeli forces killed two protesters in the occupied Gaza Strip on Friday as the UN Human Rights Council condemned the “apparent intentional use of unlawful lethal and other excessive force” against Great March of Return demonstrators.
The UN body also passed a resolution opposing Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights, one day after President Donald Trump tweeted in support of US recognition of Israel’s claims to the Syrian territory.
Gaza’s health ministry identified the Palestinians slain on Friday as 29-year-old Nidal Abd al-Karim Ahmad Shatat, shot in the chest, and 24-year-old Jihad Munir Khalid Harara, shot in the head.
Israel directly targeted medics and ambulances with gas grenades during Friday’s demonstrations, the ministry stated.
Around 190 Palestinians were injured during Friday’s protests, more than half of them by live fire, according to Al Mezan, a human rights group in Gaza. Two were critically injured, the health ministry said.
Four journalists were hit by tear gas canisters and live fire while covering the protests, according to Al Mezan.
Nearly 200 Palestinians have been killed during the Great March of Return mobilizations, including 41 children, two women, two journalists, three paramedics and eight persons with a disability, Al Mezan said.