A charity has criticized the Israeli military for its use of firearms and other weapons to disperse Palestinian protesters in Gaza on Good Friday.
At least 17 protesters were killed and more than 1,400 were injured when the protests in Gaza on March 30 took a violent turn. The Good Friday demonstration was the first day of the "Land Day" march, which was supposed to be a multi-week rally to commemorate those who were killed during protests against land confiscations in northern Israel in 1976.
The Legal Center for Arab Minority rights in Israel, also known as (Adalah), has criticized the Israeli military for its use of live ammunition against the protesters and called on the government to launch an investigation on the incident.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have argued that the protesters have thrown Molotov cocktails and even opened fire on the soldiers. Chief army spokesman Brigadier General Ronen Marielis contended that some of those who were killed were members of militant factions. He further claimed that the protests were being used by the Palestinian-Islamist group Hamas as a cover for carrying out attacks against Israel.
The military reportedly used live rounds from snipers, plastic-coated steel bullets, tear gas and tank fire in an attempt to thwart the protesters.
Christian Aid, a partner organization of Adalah, insisted that Israel's use of live ammunition against the protesters was illegal.
"Live gunfire on unarmed civilians constitutes a violation of the international legal obligation to distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel is obligated to act in accordance with international law," William Bell, Christian Aid's Head of Middle East Policy, said.
"Having just returned from Gaza and witnessed the fast deteriorating situation, I despair at the level of international indifference. Does Israel really believe that turning their guns on demonstrators is the answer? This issue will never go away until equality, equity, humanity and dignity are the norm for all," Bell continued.
Human Rights Watch also denounced the IDF and said that the violent incident had raised concerns about Israel's use of force during Palestinian protests.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called for an investigation into the deaths and injuries of the protesters.
"He also appeals to those concerned to refrain from any act that could lead to further casualties and in particular any measures that could place civilians in harm's way," a spokesperson for Guterres said, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.
