A/HRC/43/21 comment on enquiries by Israeli media regarding the delay between the ramming and the shooting.20 The Forces opened an operational inquiry into the incident. 21 13. In other cases, the use of lethal force led to severe and permanent injuries. On 12 July 2019, the Israeli security forces shot and critically injured a nine-year-old Palestinian boy in the head during the weekly demonstrations in Kafr Qaddum, near Qalqiliya. According to eyewitnesses, protesters were throwing stones at the Israeli security forces about 150 metres away from where the boy was standing at the entrance of a friend’s house when he was hit. At the time of reporting, the boy remained hospitalized with around 100 fragments lodged in the brain, unable to speak and with very limited ability to move. Media reported that Israel Defense Forces was investigating the incident, however this has not been officially confirmed.22 III. Update on accountability A. Accountability for the 2014 escalation of hostilities in Gaza and other rounds of hostilities 14. Over five years after the 2014 escalation of hostilities in Gaza, lack of accountability remains pervasive for suspected violations of international humanitarian law, including allegations of war crimes perpetrated by all parties to the conflict. Since the publication of the report of the commission of inquiry on the 2014 Gaza conflict, 23 the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner have provided regular updates on the lack of progress regarding the implementation of the recommendations contained in that report, and highlighted concerns about the lack of accountability by both Israeli and Palestinian authorities.24 15. With respect to Israel, the most recent update by the Israeli Military Advocate General was provided on 15 August 2018 and referred to in the previous report of the High Commissioner. 25 No notable progress in the investigation and prosecution of alleged violations in the context of the 2014 round of hostilities was registered during the reporting period.26 16. Lack of progress and transparency persists also in relation to accountability efforts linked to previous rounds of hostilities. In particular, since July 2010, no information has been made available by the Government of Israel in relation to progress in the investigation and prosecution of alleged wrongdoing committed by the Israeli security forces in the context of Operation Cast Lead.27 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 www.timesofisrael.com/9-days-after-alleged-car-ramming-eyewitnesses-say-israel-hasnt-contactedthem/. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-palestinian-car-hit-soldiers-they-shot-back-once-fourminutes-later-nine-bullets-followed-1.7045801. www.timesofisrael.com/family-of-palestinian-boy-shot-in-the-head-wants-answers-from-israel/. A/HRC/29/52. See, in particular, A/HRC/34/38, para. 42, A/HRC/37/41, paras. 9–17, A/HRC/40/43, paras. 4–13, and A/71/364 paras. 40 and 51–55. A/HRC/40/43, para. 5. In particular, of the 500 complaints (relating to 360 incidents) referred to the Military Advocate General, 31 were referred for criminal investigation and most were closed on the ground that the conduct of the Israeli security forces complied with domestic and international law. While one investigation led to the conviction of three soldiers for looting, investigations in 28 cases did not result in criminal charges; two cases remain pending. Cases relating to 189 incidents have so far been closed. See https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/IsraelGaza2014/Documents/Operation-ProtectiveEdge-MAG-Corps-Press-Release-Update-6-15-August-2018.pdf and A/HRC/40/43 paras. 5 and 9. According to the latest available update, 47 military police investigations have been opened and led to the indictment of three Israeli soldiers (two of whom for forcing a Palestinian minor to assist them in a manner that put him at risk and another for killing a Palestinian civilian) and to the conviction of one soldier for the theft of a credit card. See https://mfa.gov.il/MFA_Graphics/MFA%20Gallery/ Documents/GazaUpdateJuly2010.pdf. 5