Geneva: In response to the latest wave of deliberate killing and maiming of Palestinian protesters, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid bin Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein said shocking killing of innocent Palestinians by Israel in Gaza must stop now. He tweeted ‘“Shocking killing of dozens, injury of hundreds by Israeli live fire in #Gaza must stop now.” Urging international community to ensure justice for victims, he further added, “The right to life must be respected. Those responsible for outrageous human rights violations must be held to account. The int’l community needs to ensure justice for victims.”
Amnesty International has also called Israel’s crackdown “deplorable,” while the UN has called for an end to the Israeli military’s “disproportionate” use of force.
“This is another horrific example of the Israeli military using excessive force and live ammunition in a totally deplorable way,” Amnesty International’s Philip Luther said. “This is a violation of international standards, in some instances committing what appear to be willful killings constituting war crimes.”
It must be noted that over 55 Palestinians had been killed and over 27000 injured by Israeli gunfire on Monday, making it the bloodiest day of the protests by far. Around 35,000 people demonstrated at the border against shifting of US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
A United Nations committee on Monday called on Israel to stop using “disproportionate force” against demonstrators, adding that it was “gravely concerned” that innocent people were being targeted. The committee urged the Israeli government to immediately refrain from causing further casualties, ensure medical treatment for injured Palestinians and lift the blockade of the Gaza strip.