Israeli forces ‘could have avoided killings’

Reviews of shootings in which Israeli security forces killed a knife-wielding Palestinian and another throwing stones found the use of deadly violence could have been avoided, public radio reported Tuesday.
An Israeli military spokesman confirmed the cases had been looked into as part of routine procedure, but was unable to comment on the reported findings. It was unclear if the officers involved would face further action.
Citing an internal army document, the radio said border police under the command of the military fired a hail of bullets when they killed a knife-wielding Palestinian woman on Oct. 19.
They initially followed regulations, firing warning shots into the air followed by a single round at the 19-year-old's legs when she failed to stop. Four officers then fired more than 30 rounds at her, said the report. Video footage that emerged of the shooting appeared to show four officers firing after she was already on the ground.
Another case reviewed was that of the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Palestinian stone thrower Khaled Bahar the following day near the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Public radio said the army review reported that the shooting occurred after a patrol pursued Palestinians who had stoned a passing Israeli bus.
"One of the youths tried to throw a stone at short range at the force commander who shot and killed him," the report said. "According to the enquiry there was no danger to life (to the commander). He should not have fired at the central body mass in order to kill."
An Israeli soldier is on trial for manslaughter after video emerged showing him shoot a wounded Palestinian attacker in the head in March as he lay on the ground without seeming to pose any further threat.
Police were also criticized for the shooting of a Palestinian teenage girl involved in a stabbing attack with scissors in November 2015. Footage appeared to show an officer shoot the girl again as she was already on the ground.
Meanwhile, an Israeli shot while working along the Egyptian border on Tuesday has died from his wounds, the Israeli Army said, while noting the incident did not appear related to "terror activities."

Source: Arab News