HRW: ’Israeli’ Killing of Palestinian Children Apparent War Crime

Local Editor

Human Rights Watch slammed on Monday the "Israeli" murdering of two Palestinian teenagers during a protest in the occupied West Bank."

 "It might constitute an "Israeli" war crime," the organization said in its report.

Palestinian medics said Muhammad Abu Thahr, 16, and Nadim Nuwara, 17, were shot dead by "Israeli" troops using live ammunition on May 15 as they took part in the demonstration.

Video from security cameras on Palestinian properties close to the scene showed the two teenagers fall to the ground in separate incidents, apparently shot despite posing no immediate threat to "Israeli" forces.

"The willful killing of civilians by "Israeli" security forces as part of the occupation is a war crime," Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director for Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

"The "Israeli" military's claim that its forces didn't shoot any live ammunition on May 15 does not stand up to scrutiny," she said, calling on "Israel" to prosecute those who shot the youths and also any commanders who ordered the use of live fire.
The "Israeli" military claimed it is investigating the incident, but War Minister Moshe Yaalon claimed the surveillance video might have been doctored. The human rights groups that distributed the material denied that.

The Human Rights Watch report, entitled 'Killing of Children Apparent War Crime', said it also appeared that Palestinians who tried to help the stricken Nuwara had rubber bullets fired at them by "Israeli" forces.
One projectile "struck the head of a Palestinian medic, who was wearing a bright orange vest", the organization said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team