’Israel’ Shoots, Injures HRW Employee at Peaceful Protest in WB

Local Editor

A Human Rights Watch [HRW] researcher wearing a Press vest was shot and wounded along with seven Palestinian protesters by Israeli security forces in the occupied West Bank. HRW says the shooting was unprovoked, as protesters posed "no imminent threat."

The female research assistant, whose name has not been disclosed, was looking into the recent "Israeli" aggression against Palestinians. She was attending the demonstration to observe the behavior of both the Palestinian protesters and "Israeli" army during the standoff.

The woman was also taking pictures and had the word "PRESS" clearly displayed on her clothes at the time of the shooting. The protest took place on October 6 outside of Ramallah, located in the West Bank.

The demonstration, with up to 200 protesters including families and young people in attendance, was reportedly peaceful at the time the research assistant was shot. HRW noted that Palestinians had thrown stones and "Israeli" soldiers had fired some live rounds of ammunition earlier in the evening.

The HRW employee was hit by two rubber-coated steel bullets. One hit her in the back and the other deflected off her torso, injuring her jaw. A third bullet injured her hand, but it is unclear whether it grazed her or hit something nearby, causing the resulting shrapnel to ricochet into it.

"Israeli" forces opened fire without giving any prior warning, according to witnesses. "We didn't see any soldiers near us," medic, Fadi Asmar, 27, who had brought his 5-year-old son to the protest, said. "That's why we felt safe. No one was throwing rocks or anything. Soldiers just started shooting."

Bullets of the type used in the shooting are only employed by the "Israeli" forces, according to HRW.

"Indiscriminate or deliberate firing on observers and demonstrators who pose no imminent threat violates the international standards that bind "Israeli" security forces," executive director of Human Rights Watch Kenneth Roth said. "It is particularly troubling when those seeking to monitor the security forces' conduct are among the casualties."

In addition, seven protesters were shot and injured during the demonstration, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said.

Following the incident, the research assistant was taken to Ramallah hospital, where she was treated and released.

On Saturday, a civilian woman and her 3-year-old daughter were martyred as the family's house collapsed during an "Israeli" Air Force strike on the Gaza Strip.

Earlier in the day, five Palestinians were shot martyred by the "Israeli" regime at two separate locations - in Occupied al-Quds and along the Gaza border.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team