The U.N. human rights office says it has indications that Israeli forces used "excessive force" during a deadly crackdown on protesters last week in Gaza, and is expressing concerns about possible further violence.
Spokeswoman Elizabeth Throssell noted on Friday that Israeli forces are required under international human rights law to use nonviolent means "to the extent possible."
She says live fire by Israel forces killed 16 people and reportedly wounded more than 1,000 others, many who were unarmed. She also said there were "ominous statements" from Israeli authorities leading up to protest.
Throssell told reporters in Geneva that while some protesters "reportedly used means that could be dangerous," the protective gear and defensive positions by Israeli security forces "would have mitigated the risk and should not have led to recourse to lethal force."
She spoke shortly before new violent incidents were reported at the Gaza-Israel border, prompting Israeli troops to fire back sporadically.
