A demonstrator holds a Molotov cocktail during clashes with Israeli troops at a protest where Palestinians demand the right to return to their homeland, at the Israel-Gaza border in the southern Gaza Strip, April 27, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa As has become the norm on Fridays, the terror group Hamas led another round of riots on April 27, featuring the usual violence that caused the Israel Defense Force (IDF) to intervene.
According to Hamas’s Gaza Health Ministry, three Palestinians were killed and over 300 were injured in the April 27 riots. Once again, scores of rioters were attempting to penetrate the border fence.
“The rioters approached the security fence and hurled explosive devices, grenades, firebombs and rocks and tried to light the security fence on fire,” an IDF spokesman told the Times of Israel. “In response, IDF troops operated in accordance with the rules of engagement and thwarted the attempted infiltration.”
Rioters also chucked burning tires and flaming kites across the border. The IDF is claiming that they only began using gunfire and riot dispersal measures after the rioters ignored the IDF’s warnings to stay away from the fence.
“IDF troops have used riot dispersal means and have fired in accordance with the rules of engagement,” an IDF spokesman told the Jerusalem Post. “The IDF operates to protect Israeli civilians and will not allow the security infrastructure that protects [civilians] to be damaged.”
Here are some scenes from the riots:
A short while ago, hundreds of rioters attempted to infiltrate Israel & burn the security fence adjacent to the Karni Crossing in the northern Gaza Strip pic.twitter.com/luLoU20tv8
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 27, 2018
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 27, 2018
Images out of #Gaza today. Notice the last picture with children taking part in the #GreatReturnMarch. As @riotgoy says: “You really shouldn’t be publishing pictures of parents having great big lunches while their kids get sent off to get shot by the #IDF” pic.twitter.com/rS6swaSFjX
— Anna Ahronheim (@AAhronheim) April 27, 2018
Today, #Hamas organized another "#GreatReturnMarch" of violent riots and youths trying to sabotage the Israel-#Gaza fence & fly firebombs toward Israeli communities.
Israel will continue to protect its citizens from Hamas' terrorists. pic.twitter.com/LJ3N1l4CvU
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 27, 2018
United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein condemned Israel’s response to the riots.
“I am extremely concerned that by the end of today — and next Friday, and the Friday after that — more unarmed Palestinians who were alive this morning will have been killed, simply because, while exercising their right to protest, they approached a fence, or otherwise attracted the attention of the soldiers on the other side,” Zeid said. “Israel’s failure to consistently prosecute violations committed by members of its security forces, encourages them to use deadly force against their fellow unarmed human beings, even when they present no threat.”
Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon fired back Al Hussein for ignoring how Hamas has instigated the riots and is using civilians as human shields to breach the border fence and launch terror attacks against Israel.
“This statement proves once again that the High Commissioner is not focused on human rights, but only with obsessively criticizing Israel,” Danon said.
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