A/HRC/34/36 other cases monitored by OHCHR and indicates that they often use firearms against Palestinians on mere suspicion or as a precautionary measure, in violation of international standards.5 12. The reporting period saw a significant increase in the use of firearms by Israeli Security Forces for crowd control in the West Bank, particularly in refugee camps. On 16 August 2016, one of the largest search-and-arrest raids, reportedly involving three Israeli Defense Forces battalions, took place in Al-Fawwar refugee camp resulting in clashes between Israeli Defense Forces and Palestinians. On that day, Mohammad Abu Hashash was killed and 32 other Palestinians wounded by gunshots by Israeli Security Forces. Mr. Abu Hashash, who had been unarmed, was shot in the back by a sniper. There was no indication that he had presented an imminent threat. A witness told OHCHR that the situation had been calm in the neighbourhood at the time, and that the street had been empty when Mr. Abu Hashash left his house and was immediately shot without warning. 13. In 2016, over half of all injuries suffered by Palestinians from live ammunition occurred in refugee camps.6 Many such injuries have resulted in loss of limbs and other permanent disabilities, including blindness. Human rights groups have raised concerns over the use by Israeli Security Forces of 0.22 Ruger rifles as a means of crowd control, in violation of official regulations 7 and international standards, which allow the use of firearms only in the event of an imminent threat. Interviews conducted by OHCHR from Al-Fawwar, Ad-Duhiesha and other refugee camps suggest that this practice of using live ammunition is continuing. UNRWA has also expressed concerns with the Israeli authorities about the alarming use of live ammunition. 8 Such extensive use of firearms raises doubts as to whether the acts of Israeli Security Forces are consistent with their obligation to exercise restraint and minimize injury.9 14. The High Commissioner previously raised concerns about the inappropriate use of less lethal weapons. 10 Notwithstanding, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recorded that 3 people were killed and 7,678 injured by such weapons. On 9 September 2016, for example, a 16-year-old boy was hit in the face and killed with a flare during a protest at the Israel-Gaza fence east of Al-Boureij. The flare cartridge was recovered and medical records showed that the cause of death was associated with a perforation above the boy’s left eye. OHCHR monitoring indicated that he had been hit while trying to throw back a tear-gas canister fired by Israeli Security Forces some 20 metres away. A witness testified that a soldier may have fired the flare directly at the child. 15. The Secretary-General has specifically highlighted the dangers of black sponge bullets used by Israeli Security Forces in East Jerusalem.11 Israeli police regulations state that sponge bullets should not be used against children and should not be aimed towards the upper part of the body. Nevertheless, on 19 July, 10-year-old Mohyi al-Tabakhi was killed after being shot in the chest by a black sponge bullet from a distance of 25-30 metres. According to two witnesses, Israeli Security Forces fired tear gas at older children who had been throwing stones towards them. One witness told OHCHR that a border guard shot a sponge-bullet directly at Mohyi. The bullet hit him in the chest and he collapsed after taking a few steps. A man who came to rescue the child was also shot in the arm with a sponge bullet. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 4 See www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/UseOfForceAndFirearms.aspx (Principle 9). See www.ochaopt.org/content/monthly-humanitarian-bulletin-september-2016. See www.btselem.org/firearms/20151102_october_west_bank_demonstrations. See www.unrwa.org/newsroom/emergency-reports/gaza-situation-report-161-162. See www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/UseOfForceAndFirearms.aspx (Principle 5). See A/HRC/31/40, para. 26. See A/71/364, para. 16.