Major-General Avi Mizrahi
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Office
X-ray showing fatal bullet
Photo: Salma a-Dab'i, B'Tselem
Central Command Chief Major-General Avi Mizrahi called IDF soldiers' killing of two Palestinians at violent riots at the West Bank village of Iraq-Burin last month "an unnecessary operational occurrence with dire consequences".
On Monday the details of a probe on the incident, in which soldiers from the Shomron Brigade shot dead 16-year-old Muhammad Qadus and 20-year-old Osaid Qadus, was revealed by Ynet.
Investigation
Two March incidents in which four Palestinians were shot by IDF could have been avoided, according to Central Command inquiry. 'Soldiers must distinguish between life threatening situations and those incidents where the use of common sense can resolve matters without casualties,' senior officer says
Mizrahi's probe determined that a force led by the brigade's deputy commander arrived on the scene of the riots in order to arrest participants. On its way the army convoy came across an obstruction on the road that forced the soldiers to leave the vehicle.
The deputy commander said in his testimony that at this stage he received permission to fire rubber-coated bullets at rioters and hit a Palestinian taking part in the events. Later Palestinian sources reported two deaths.
The probe has yet to reveal how the two were killed, as the Palestinians claim they were hit by live ammunition, not rubber bullets. A team of experts failed to refute the deputy commander's claim, despite an X-ray photo which allegedly shows a live bullet in the head of one of the victims.
Mizrahi also responded to a probe on another incident, in which a soldier from the same brigade felt threatened and shot two Palestinians dead. The major-general said the force could have handled the incident in a more professional manner and thus avoid use of weapons.
However Mizrahi added that once the soldier was attacked by the first Palestinian and in light of the threat he felt he acted according to protocol, though the second Palestinian was far enough away in order to allow for a different course of action.
Mizrahi is now considering whether disciplinary actions are required for the brigade's commanders involved in the incident. The military police continue to investigate the incident at Iraq-Burin.