Israel reiterates readiness to shoot Palestinians 'close to Gaza fence'

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Israel has said its measures against Palestinians protesting along the border with Gaza will remain unchanged, amid Palestinian and international outcry over Israeli soldiers' use of excessive force and accusation of "shoot-to-kill policy."

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned on Tuesday that the country's security forces will keep using similar force, as organizers of the "Great Return March" anticipated a surge in demonstrators on Friday.

"We have set clear rules of the game and we do not intend to change them. Anyone who approaches the fence endangers his life," Liberman said during a visit near the frontier.

Palestinians rally during the "Great Return March" in Gaza, March 30, 2018. /VCG Photo

Seventeen Palestinians have been killed since a mass protest along the sensitive fence between Gaza and Israel was launched last Friday. The latest casualty was on Tuesday, when a 25-year-old Gazan was fatally shot around 50 meters away from the frontier.

"I think the [Israel Defense Forces] operated exceptionally well, as expected, and I have no doubt that we will continue to act in the same way in the days to come," the minister added.

Liberman has previously defended Israeli soldiers who fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters, saying they deserved a "medal."

Palestinians began a six-week sit-in last Friday to oppose Israeli occupation and demand refugees be allowed to return to their lands and homes that were expropriated by Israel.

Israel deployed 100 sharpshooters on its side of the fence and warned it will use force.

The demonstration, dubbed the "Great Return March", soon turned bloody, when Israeli soldiers opened fire at what it said were "provocative" protesters.

Sixteen Palestinians were killed on the first day, triggering condemnation over Israel's unwarranted use of fatal force.

A Palestinian demonstrator throws a gas canister back to Israeli forces during the "Great March of Return" at Ez-Zeitoun town south of Gaza, March 30, 2018. /VCG Photo

Israel brushed off the criticism, claiming its soldiers only fired at those who were trying to sabotage or breach the fence, or plant explosives.

It argued that the targeted protesters were linked to militant groups, in reference to Hamas which has acknowledged that five members of its armed wing were among the dead.

However, that did little to appease the concerns of the international community.

A draft to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) demanding "independent and transparent investigation" into the bloodshed was blocked by the US over the weekend.

Calls for an inquiry were backed by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the EU’s top diplomat Federica Mogherini, but were rejected by Israel.

"I do not understand the choir of hypocrites who are calling for a commission of inquiry. They got confused and thought Hamas organized a Woodstock festival and we had to meet them with flowers," Liberman wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

CGTN screenshot of a tweet by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman backing Israeli soldiers' behavior during the protest and questioning calls for probes into the bloodshed.

On Tuesday, the permanent observer of Palestine to the United Nations Riyad Mansour called on the UN to protect peaceful protesters from Israel's "shoot-to-kill policy" in a letter to the council, accusing Israel of "intentionally, grossly and systematically" violating its legal obligation to protect civilians.

Israel's announcement that it will stick to its guns when dealing with Palestinian protesters came as preparations are underway for another mass rally on Friday.

Reuters reported that demonstrators have been gathering mirrors to blind Israeli soldiers, laser pointers to point them at snipers and tires to burn to reduce the effects of tear gas.

The mass protest began on March 30 to mark the 42nd anniversary of "Yom Al-ard" (Land Day), which commemorates violent demonstrations in 1976 in the wake of land confiscation by Israel that belonged to Palestinian citizens living there. It is expected to last until May 15, when Palestinians observe the “Nakba” (Catastrophe) that refers to the expulsion of Palestinians when Israel came into existence in 1948.

The right to return is a flash point in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Palestinians want about five million of their compatriots be allowed to go back to the lands Israel had expropriated, but Israel has long resisted the calls, worrying that allowing them back in would affect its Jewish character.

(With input from agencies)