Time: 9pm (+2 GMT)

On 14 June 2019, the sixty-first Friday of the Great March of Return (GMR), Israeli forces continued the policy of using live fire, amounting to excessive force, in policing the unarmed protesters. Ninety-five people were injured, including 31 children, four paramedics, and one woman. Of the injured, 20 sustained wounds from live fire, while nine were hit directly by tear gas canisters. According to medical sources, one of the injured children is in critical condition.

The documentation by Al Mezan Center for Human Rights shows that on Friday:

• -- Sabreen Qishta, 28, and Mohammed Sheikh Al-Eid, 29, volunteering paramedics, were wounded from plastic-coated steel bullets in the head and the left leg, respectively;
• -- Tawfiq Al-Mishwakhi, 58, and Tayseer Al-Ajili, 42, paramedics with the Civil Defense, were wounded from plastic-coated steel bullets in the right shoulder and in the back, respectively; and
• -- Four paramedics were attacked while evacuating and providing aid to casualties at the demonstration in east Rafah.

Al Mezan’s documentation shows that from 30 March 2018, Israeli forces have killed 310 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Of the total fatalities, 207 were killed at the protests, including 44 children, two women, four paramedics, two journalists, and nine persons with disability. Another 16,831 persons have been wounded, including 3,905 children, 753 women, 198 paramedics, and 170 journalists. Of the wounded, 8,490 were wounded from live fire, including 1,692 children and 164 women. The Israeli forces continue to keep the bodies of 12 fatalities, including four minors.

Al Mezan condemns the continued use of excessive and other unlawful force by the Israeli forces, including sharpshooters, to police demonstrations. Al Mezan also expresses concern at the continued deliberate attacks on unarmed protesters, including children, persons with disability, paramedics and journalists—the last two categories being visible as such to Israeli forces. Al Mezan stresses that the right to peaceful assembly and free expression are fundamental rights and must be respected. Unarmed protesters not posing any serious or imminent threat to the Israeli forces must not be shot.

Al Mezan calls on the international community to condemn all violations of international law promptly intervene to ensure the protection of civilians from unlawful attack in the context of the protests. The international community must end its silence on the aggravating human rights situation and condemn all violations of international law. Al Mezan also calls on the international community to take firm action to ensure accountability and justice for serious violations of international law.