UN rights chief slams Israel over ‘appalling’ deaths in Gaza

The spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights slams Israel for the “appalling, deadly violence in Gaza yesterday.”

“The rules on the use of force under international law have been repeated many times but appear to have been ignored again and again,” the statement reads. “It seems anyone is liable to be shot dead or injured: women, children, press personnel, first responders, bystanders, and at almost any point up to 700m from the fence.”

The statement says “lethal force may only be used as a measure of last – not first – resort, and only when there is an immediate threat to life or serious injury. An attempt to approach or crossing or damaging the fence do [sic] not amount to a threat to life or serious injury and are not sufficient grounds for the use of live ammunition.

“Again, we call for independent, transparent investigations in all cases of death and injury since 30 March. Since 30 March, 112 Palestinians, including 14 children, have lost their lives at the fence and thousands have been injured.”