The Israeli forces in the Israeli-imposed “buffer zone” in the Gaza Strip continue to use excessive force against Palestinian demonstrators who are protesting Israel’s nearly 50-year occupation of Palestine and nearly ten-year closure of the Gaza Strip, recently killing one and injuring three Palestinians. The Israeli forces employ live fire, rubber-coated steel bullets, and tear gas against Palestinians in and near the non-demarcated buffer zone causing injury and death. The routine, excessive use of force demonstrated by the Israeli forces in the “buffer zone” violates the basic rules of international human rights law in the law enforcement context.

According to field investigations conducted by Al Mezan Center for Human Rights (Al Mezan), at approximately 2:00 pm on Friday, 18 November 2016, Israeli forces opened fire and launched tear gas at a non-violent weekly demonstration. The demonstration, launched in solidarity with the Palestinians being targeted and oppressed in East Jerusalem and the broader West Bank, was comprised of hundreds of people gathered southeast of Al Bureij refugee camp, near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. At approximately 4:20 pm on the same day, the Israeli forces launched canisters at the demonstrators that released red and green gas. The Israeli forces then opened fire at the demonstrators. As a result, Mohammed Mohammed Abu Sa’ad, 25, sustained a bullet wound to his chest. He was admitted to Al Aqsa hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival. Another two people were injured. The Israeli forces arrested Ahmed Mohammed Al ‘Isawi, 24.

In the district of Gaza City, at approximately 1:00 pm on the same day, the Israeli forces opened fire on and launched tear gas at tens of young men and children who were participating in a similar demonstration. The shooting focused on the surrounding areas of Al Shejai’ya. As a result, one person sustained a moderate injury.

Al Mezan strongly condemns the attacks perpetrated by the Israeli forces against civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) who are taking part in peaceful resistance. The practice of targeting civilians, especially children, carried out by Israel’s forces represent serious and systematic violations of international law. These violations, which must be seen in the context of inter alia Israel's continued oppression of the people of Palestine, illegal closure of Gaza, land confiscation practices, and policy of separation, testify to Israel's intention to maintain its unlawful occupation of the oPt.

Al Mezan calls on the international community to uphold its legal obligations under international law to provide due protection for civilians and to implement concrete steps to enable the Palestinian people to achieve their right to self-determination. Al Mezan asserts that the failure to act and the silence of the international community towards Israel’s violations has encouraged the Israeli government, forces, and authorities to perpetuate policies and practices that constitute violations of international law. This silence must stop.