United Nations Human Rights Office Wednesday called on Israel to promptly, transparently, and independently investigate all instances of Israeli use of force that have led to the killing or injury of several Palestinian children in the West Bank.

“In accordance with international law, use of lethal force is only allowed as a measure of last resort, in response to a threat to life or of serious injury,” the office stated in a statement.

“Stone-throwing does not appear to constitute such a threat. In addition, force must always be used in a manner which causes the least possible harm,” the office added. "Shooting in the head or the upper body does not appear to conform to this requirement. Children enjoy special protection under international law and must be protected from violence at all times. They should not be put at risk or encouraged to participate in violence at all."

Moreover, the office pointed out that Israeli Forces injured at least four children with live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets in separate incidents across the West Bank in the past two weeks.

“All injuries resulted from the use of potentially lethal force by the Israeli Forces in circumstances where available information suggests the children did not pose a threat to life or serious injury of the soldiers or to anyone else. It thus appears the force used was not in accordance with international law,” it clarified.

On 29 November, Israeli forces fired live ammunition to the chest of a 16-year old boy in Al Bireh city. Reportedly, “Israeli Forces was responding to stone-throwing and used live ammunition without warning. The boy is in intensive care.”

“On 28 November, Israeli forces shot live ammunition to the chest of another 16-year old boy in Silwad. The boy was attempting to cross the street, where Israeli Forces had been responding to stone-throwing. Despite trying to signal his intention to the soldiers, he was shot. He is in intensive care,” the office highlighted.

According to the UN statement, “on 27 November, during protests in Kafr Qaddum, Israeli Forces shot a 16-year old boy in the head with a rubber-coated metal bullet. The boy fell from the impact and is hospitalized with a fractured skull.”

While the fourth injury occurred “on 17 November, a 15-year old boy on his way back from school lost his right eye after being hit by ricochet ammunition in Qalandia refugee camp.”

“Although there were clashes taking place between the Israeli Forces and residents of the camp, none of the available information suggests the boy would have posed a threat to anyone at the time he was shot.” the office underscored.

Source : Safa