United Nations-backed investigators said Thursday that Israeli soldiers intentionally fired on civilians and could have committed crimes against humanity during crackdowns against violent Palestinian demonstrations in Gaza last year that left 189 people dead.
The independent Commission of Inquiry mandated by the historically anti-Israel Human Rights Council, said more than 6,000 people were shot by IDF snipers using live ammunition to repel protesters near the Gaza security fence.
The panel said Thursday that Palestinian civilians who did not pose an "imminent threat" were among those killed and injured.
It acknowledged significant violence linked to the demonstrations, but said they did not amount to combat campaigns, essentially rejecting an Israeli claim of "terror activities" by Palestinian terrorist groups.
Acting Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud) said Thursday that Israel rejects the report as "theater of the absurd."
In a statement, he said that the U.N. Human Rights Council had "produced another hostile, mendacious and slanted report against the State of Israel ... No one can deny Israel the right of self-defense and the obligation to defend its citizens and borders from violent attacks."
The panel also said it had confidential information about those believed to be responsible for the killings, including IDF snipers and commanders, which was being given to U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet for her to share with the International Criminal Court.
During the weekly "March of Return" protests along the border, Palestinians have routinely hurled rocks and explosive devices at soldiers, and have made repeated efforts to breach the fence and infiltrate Israel.
Investigators also faulted Hamas, which runs Gaza, for its campaign of cross-border arson and not preventing the use of incendiary kites during the protests, which have caused immense economic and environmental damage.
