GENEVA, December 19, 2017 (WAFA) – The United Nations Higher Commission for Human Rights, Zeid Ra‘ad Al Hussein, expressed on Tuesday “true shock” over Israeli forces’ fatal shooting of Ibrahim Abu Thuraya, a wheelchair-bound amputee, near Gaza’s border fence with Israel last Friday.

“The facts gathered so far by my staff in Gaza strongly suggest that the force used against Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh was excessive,” Zeid said in a press statement.

“As far as we can see, there is nothing whatsoever to suggest that Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh was posing an imminent threat of death or serious injury when he was killed. Given his severe disability, which must have been clearly visible to those who shot him, his killing is incomprehensible – a truly shocking and wanton act.”

Hussein condemned Israeli forces’ use of live ammunition against Palestinians who were protesting against US President Donald Trumps’ decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

“This level of casualties raises serious concerns as to whether the force used by Israeli forces was properly calibrated to the threat,” Zeid said. “And these events, including the loss of five irreplaceable human lives, can sadly be traced directly back to the unilateral US announcement on the status of Jerusalem, which breaks international consensus and was dangerously provocative.”

“I unequivocally condemn all attacks against civilians, including the indiscriminate shelling of Israeli civilian areas by armed Palestinian groups operating out of Gaza,” Zeid added.

M.N./M.H.