The human rights group B’Tselem has reported that in the last two years at least 21 Palestinians lost their vision in one eye when Israeli forces violently quelled the March of Return rallies near the Gaza border fence.
Another victim is a 16 year old boy who lost vision in both eyes.
“Each of these personal tragedies adds to the alarming casualty count in the protests: more than 200 people have been killed some 8000 wounded by live fire about 2400 wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets and almost 3000 wounded by tear gas canisters” B’Tselem said in a recent report.
“Israel’s nearly 13-year blockade of the Gaza Strip has severely impaired local health care. As Gaza’s collapsing health care system is grappling with a shortage of medicine physicians equipment and medical training it is unable to offer many forms of treatment. Israel abuses its control over Gaza’s border crossings and denies residents passage to medical treatment elsewhere including in the West Bank and east Jerusalem other than in exceptional cases it deems “life saving”. Wounded persons have to make do with the limited treatment options available within Gaza or try to make to another country – assuming they manage to get a permit to leave via Rafah crossing and shoulder the high costs” its report elaborated.
B’Tselem also reiterated that the use of crowd control measures and lethal weapons which may result in death or serious injury has been a feature of Israel’s open-fire policy regarding the demonstrations along the Gaza perimeter fence for nearly two years.
“This illegal immoral policy conveys disregard for the lives and bodily integrity of Palestinians. So long as Israel persists in implementing it despite the horrific outcomes demonstrators will continue to be killed and seriously injured. The ordeal suffered by the wounded who have to receive treatment and rehabilitation in the Gaza Strip while better care is available elsewhere is yet another horrifying facet of Israel’s callous policy towards the residents of Gaza” the human rights group said.
