US medical team finds inappropriate and excessive use of live ammunition against palestinians

US non governmental organization (NGO) "Physicians for Human Rights" has found that Israeli security forces have been using live ammunition and rubber bullets excessively and inappropriately to control Palestinians demonstrators, and charged soldiers are shooting to inflict harm, in view of the high number of documented injuries to the head and thighs.

The NGO which conducted a medical and forensic investigation in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank from October 20-27, revealed that about 50% of fatal gunshot wounds were to the head, suggesting that soldiers are specifically aiming at peoples' heads.

Out of the first batch of 1,134 casualties reported in West Bank and Gaza Hospitals, 26% were to the head and neck. Of 339 patients who were admitted to the emergency room through October 22 in Makassed Hospital, East Jerusalem, there were 25 confirmed bullet wounds to the head and neck. Four of these injuries were from live ammunition, the team report said.

In its visits to hospitals, the PHR team observed a repetitive pattern of high velocity gunshot wounds to the leg, particularly to the thigh, causing extreme injury and usually producing complex fractures and extensive muscle, nerve, and vascular injury. Most of victims will have permanent disability. The numerous high velocity wounds to the thigh are highly unlikely to be random events, but rather suggest a policy on the part of the Israeli soldiers that allows individual soldiers to shoot under very broad circumstances.

Of the 12 patients that PHR interviewed and examined at Makassed and Shifa hospitals, 10 had gunshot wounds to the thigh or lower leg. All ten of these were either diagnosed as or consistent with high velocity ammunition. PHR has concluded, that a response to throwing stones that results in permanent disability, constitutes a gross violation of human rights.

Of 2,299 emergency ward visits recorded for the West Bank and East Jerusalem hospitals from September 29 to October 17, rubber bullets accounted for 40% of the injuries. 21 of 25 gunshot wounds to the head reported through October 22 at Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem were rubber bullet injuries. Of the 21 rubber bullet injuries to the head, 16 were penetrating.

After conducting various post-mortem examinations on the 31 Palestinians killed in Gaza between September 30 and October 24, the PHR team found that in 53% of the cases the victims were shot by high velocity weapons. Live ammunition was responsible for 30% of injuries among the 2,299 casualties previously cited.

Of the 31 Palestinians killed in Gaza between September 30 and October 24, 38% were under the age of 18. Of the first 1,134 injuries reported in the combined West Bank and Gaza data, 2% were under the age of 9, 14% were under the age of 15, and 17% were 16 through 18 years of age.

PHR also reports repeated violations of medical neutrality during the renewed hostilities. The PHR team studied two damaged ambulances in Gaza; one of which had received a direct hit to the front window and the other was struck at least five times on the left-side by 50 caliber armor piercing ammunition that went completely through to the other side and damaged the stretcher inside the vehicle.

Israeli military officials who were interviewed by PHR admitted that early in the conflict there had been incidents of violations of medical neutrality, but the orders had been reissued from headquarters for officers to respect the neutrality of ambulances and medical personnel. However, the PHR team personally interviewed a hospital van driver at Shifa hospital who was taking five cancer patients to Israel for outpatient chemotherapy and radiotherapy, who were all turned back at a check point between Israel and Gaza despite their valid permit to enter Israel.

Events on the ground suggest that Israeli soldiers are not following their regulations. This leniency extends to both non-lethal and lethal weapons. In addition to not following their own standards, Israeli soldiers are violating international humanitarian and human rights standards.

PHR recalls in its report that the current crisis was ignited on September 28, when Israel's Likud Party leader, Ariel Sharon, visited Haram al-Sharifa or the Temple Mount, a Jerusalem site sacred to both Jews and Muslims. Accompanied by hundreds of Israeli riot police, Sharon stated: "The Temple Mount is in our hands and will remain in our hands. It is the holiest site in Judaism and it is the right of every Jew to visit the Temple Mount." Riots and demonstrations by Palestinians followed Sharon's visit, with stones being thrown at Israelis over the Western Wall. Israeli riot police responded with force including rubber bullets and live ammunition and several Palestinians were killed and at least 200 were injured.

"Physicians for Human Rights" mobilizes the health professions and enlists support from the general public to protect and promote the human rights of all people.

The group shared the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for its work as a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Physicians for Human Rights is the coordinating organization of the United State Campaign to Ban Landmines.