UN expert says death of 8-year-old appears to violate law after reviewing evidence gathered by BBC.

In the early afternoon of 29 November last year, several Palestinian boys descended on to their street in the occupied West Bank, where they often played together.

Minutes later, two of them lay dead from gunshots fired by Israeli soldiers - Basil, 15, and eight-year-old Adam.

As part of an investigation into the conduct of Israel’s security forces in the West Bank, which has been under military occupation for more than half a century, the BBC has pieced together what happened on the day the two boys were killed.

Mobile phone and CCTV footage, information about the movements of Israel’s military, witness testimony and detailed investigation of the scene, including taking measurements, combine to reveal evidence suggesting serious human rights violations.

  • DarkGamer@kbin.social
    19·
    7 months ago

    There’s no evidence presented in this article this was perpetrated by the Israeli government and not just some soldiers.

    • glimse@lemmy.worldEnglish
      10·
      7 months ago

      Just because the killing wasn’t explicitly ordered by the Israeli government? Despite them being there because of the government? Despite targeting civilians being a recurring theme of this invasion?

      Until Israel starts putting soldiers on trial, these are government-sponsored murders

    • girlfreddyOPEnglish
      2·
      7 months ago

      True, but the following paragraphs from the article are telling …

      But several former Israeli soldiers who viewed the BBC’s evidence said they believed Israel’s legal system would protect soldiers who used lethal force, regardless of whether it was justified.

      One former sergeant who served in the West Bank from 2018-2020, said it would take “an Israeli soldier murdering a Palestinian at zero range for it to be taken as murder in Israel” and “there is basically a 0% chance of criminal proceedings” against a soldier in cases such as Adam’s.

      • DarkGamer@kbin.social
        14·
        7 months ago

        Right, that’s the tacit approval I mentioned in my original comment, they need to prosecute Israeli soldiers and civilians who break the law and change that perception.

    • thesporkeffect@lemmy.worldEnglish
      31·
      7 months ago

      When US soldiers killed women and children in Vietnam, that WAS the US government. Same thing here