Israeli Arab NGO Blasts Israel for 'Unlawful' Use of Snipers on Gaza Border

An Israeli Arab human rights organization condemned Israel's action on the Gaza border as 'unlawful' on Saturday, alerting Attorney General Avichay Mendelblit that Israel was in breach of international law.

In a statement released Saturday, The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, Adalah, said Israel's use of snipers against protestors along the border was illegal.

"Use of deadly force against unarmed protestors acts as a violation of the distinction principle between civilians and combatants, as it is set in international law, by which Israel is bound and supposed to follow."

Around 30,000 Palestinians rallied throughout the Gaza Strip on Friday during the "March of Return," a series of mass protests along the Israel-Gaza border. 15 Palestinians have been killed and thousands were wounded during clashes with Israeli soldiers over several hours, after a number of protesters threw stones and firebombs toward soldiers stationed along the fence.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Friday for an independent and transparent investigation into the deaths and injuries along Gaza's border with Israel.

Speaking to the UN Security Council Friday night, deputy political affairs chief Taye-Brook Zerihoun said that "Israel must uphold its responsibilities under international human rights and humanitarian law. Lethal force should only be used as a last resort with any resulting fatalities properly investigated by the authorities."