The United Nations Office for the Conduct of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) has issued a report:

Humanitarian snapshot: mass casualties in the context of demonstrations in the Gaza Strip

Since 30 March 2018, the Gaza Strip has witnessed an enormous increase in Palestinian casualties in the context of mass demonstrations taking place along Israel’s perimeter fence with Gaza. The demonstrations have occurred as part of the ‘Great March of Return’, a series of mass protests, expected to continue up to 5 June. The large number of casualties among unarmed Palestinian demonstrators, including a high percentage of demonstrators hit by live ammunition, has raised concerns about excessive use of force by Israeli troops. Gaza’s health sector is struggling to cope with the mass influx of casualties, due to years of blockade, internal divide and a chronic energy crisis, which have left essential services in Gaza barely able to function.

2018: May – massacre in Gaza

This is a serious violation of international humanitarian law, acts of pure terrorism – of intentional lethal military action against peaceful protesting civilians to provoke fear.

This is not at all about Israel ‘defending itself’.

The demonstrations by the Gazans have been peaceful – peaceful in the sense that they posed zero threat to Israeli life – peaceful therefore even whilst throwing some stones and flying some flaming kites over the fence.

Since international humanitarian law is being violated the UK government should revoke licenses for the sale of arms to Israel.

Amnesty International has called for an arms embargo.

I quote from a letter sent by my MP Douglas Ross dated 14/5/2018:

A license would not be issued if there was a clear risk that any exports might be used in the commission of a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law

So, even in a conservative MP’s own words, the arms licenses for sales of arms to Israel should be revoked immediately.

as MediaLens put it:

1. Israelis Deliberately Killing Palestinians, Including Children

A recent media alert highlighted the mass killing and wounding of Palestinians in Gaza, including children, by Israeli armed forces in what the media often describe as ‘clashes’. Before the latest major massacre on May 14 (see below), Israeli forces had already killed over 50 Palestinian protesters and injured over 5000, including 1700 by live fire, during Great March of Return protests that began on March 30. UN Special Rapporteur Michael Lynk condemned Israel’s actions as violations of international law.