The Palestinian death toll in last week’s mass protest on the Gaza-Israel border rose to 18 today, officials said, as Israel rejected allegations of unlawful use of lethal force against unarmed demonstrators.
More than 750 Palestinians were wounded by Israeli fire in Friday’s protest, according to Gaza health officials, making it the bloodiest day in Gaza since the 2014 Israel-Hamas war.
Israel accused Hamas of trying to attack its border under the guise of protests. Officials said Israel has a right to defend its border, and that troops were instructed to target what the army described as the “main instigators.”
However, the military’s open-fire policies came under more scrutiny as two amateur videos emerged purportedly showing two Palestinians being shot, one killed and one wounded, while not posing any apparent threat to soldiers.
In one video, a man later identified as Ibrahim Abu Shanab is seen kneeling on the ground in the first of two rows of worshippers Friday, facing the border fence at a distance of 150 to 200 meters (yards).
Suddenly, he stands up, limps a few meters (yards), collapses and his carried away by young man who shout “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is Great.” Adli Abu Taha, who filmed the scene on his mobile phone, told The Associated Press that Abu Shanab had thrown stones close to the fence before joining the group for Friday prayers.
The incident took place east of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, and medics said Abu Shanab was shot in the leg.
In another video that spread on social media, a young man is seen being fatally shot from behind while running away from the border area carrying a tire.
The Israeli military accused Hamas yesterday of releasing videos that were incomplete, edited or “completely fabricated,” but did not elaborate.