The Israeli military said Tuesday that it has launched a criminal investigation into two recent cases of lethal fire during riots along the Gaza border, in which two Palestinian teens were killed.
Over 150 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas, the terrorist group that rules the Gaza Strip, launched its border riot campaign on March 30.
Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Sharon Afek on Tuesday instructed the Military Police to investigate the March 30 shooting of Abed al-Nabi, 18, and the July 13 shooting of 15-year-old Othman Heles.
A statement by Afek's office said the investigation comes "following a suspicion that the shooting in these incidents failed to adhere to standard operating procedures. Once the investigations are complete, the findings will be reviewed by the Military Advocate General Corps."
This is the first time the Military Police will carry out an investigation into a border shooting.
While the IDF is known for thoroughly investigates itself, Palestinians and human rights advocates often disregard the findings and accuse the Israeli military of whitewashing transgressions.
The military recently announced that it found no criminal wrongdoing by Israeli forces in one of the bloodiest incidents of the 2014 Gaza war and there were no grounds to prosecute any troops.
There was no immediate comment by Palestinian officials in the West Bank or in Gaza on the decision to launch an investigation into the incidents.
Nabi's father, Bahjat, said the soldier who shot his son should stand trial.
"I ask for justice and to put the soldier who has wrongfully shot my son on trial. He was shot in the back. I ask for psychological and financial compensation for what we are going through," Bahjat said.
