GAZA, (PIC)
The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor revealed that its ongoing investigations into the flour massacre at the “Nabulsi” roundabout, southwest of Gaza City, against Palestinian civilians who were attempting to receive humanitarian aid at dawn last Thursday, several developments confirming the Israeli army’s involvement in the massacre, including the type of bullets used, reiterating its calls for an effective international investigation to hold Israeli officials accountable.
According to a statement released by Euro-Med, many victims of the massacre suffered injuries from 5.56x45mm NATO bullets fired from Israeli army weapons. The statement went on to explain that a sample of 200 dead and injured victims revealed that they were indeed hit by this type of bullet, and that these bullets were examined at the massacre site along with shrapnel found in the bodies of the wounded and dead.
Upon carrying out the requisite inquiry into this particular bullet type, it was discovered that it is discharged from assault rifles like the M4 and Tavor, along with machine guns (light machine gun LMG) like the IWI Negev. Additionally, the analysis of this particular type of ammunition reveals that the 5.56 x 45 mm ammunition is a basic FMJ bullet used by the Israeli army. It has a boxer primer, WC powder 844 (26.1 g), steel tip and copper coating (green tip) – 62 grams (4.02 grams), average speed of 948 m/s (3,110 ft/s), and energy release of 1,797 J (1,325 ft/lbs.).
This type is occasionally imported from the United Kingdom, produced in 2020/2022, and is licensed for use by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. This type is also manufactured in Israel by IMI SYSTEMS, formerly known as the Israeli Military Industries Company, which is a manufacturer of weapons, ammunition, and military technology and regularly supplies them to the Israeli security forces, including the Israeli army.
A 17-year-old resident of Gaza City’s “Al-Sabra” neighborhood named “Muhammad Yasser Washah” was one of the testimonies that Euro-Med recorded. During the massacre, he was at the “Nabulsi” roundabout southwest of the city when a bullet hit the bag of flour he was carrying. Luckily, it went through and became lodged in his jacket.
After examining the bullet in question, Euro-Med discovered that its dimensions and form were exactly the same as those of this particular bullet. Compared to other bullet types with a diameter of 5.56 mm, this one has a high ability to penetrate 3 mm of steel, despite not being considered armor-piercing.
According to fresh testimonies gathered by Euro-Med regarding the massacre, Israeli forces started directly shooting at civilians who were waiting for assistance at 4:10 a.m. on Thursday, February 29.
At 5.30 a.m., the Israeli army raided the gathering, where many people were lying injured, killed, and others were attempting to flee. Many people on the site were taken into custody, while others were forced to evacuate to the south. Other people were directly executed and left on the beach.
According to the Euro-Med Monitor, the Israeli army’s extrajudicial executions and intentional, illegal killings of Palestinian civilians who have not taken part in hostilities amount to serious violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes, and crimes against humanity as defined by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
These crimes, which Israel has been committing against the Gaza Strip’s people since 7 October, also constitute acts of genocide, along with violating the right of Palestinians to life in accordance with international human rights law.
In order to prevent the impending catastrophe of mass famine in the Gaza Strip, Euro-Med Monitor urged the international community to apply immediate pressure on Israel to halt its starvation campaign against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and to hold it accountable for its crimes and grave violations against the Gaza Strip and all of its Palestinian residents.
Additionally, the rights group called for more effective and decisive international intervention to ensure the safe, complete, and reliable delivery of humanitarian supplies without any hindrance, to ensure access to all affected people, and to provide desperately needed basic services and humanitarian assistance.
