They weren't unarmed. They were armed with rocks, firebombs, guns and possibly bombs. They were all young men. They all attempted to reach or breach the fence.
I agree that lethal force should be the last resort -- but when Gazans are planting bombs attempting to kill Israelis on sovereign Israeli territory, they are combatants and not "unarmed protesters".
Clearly throwing rocks and petrol bombs is, in no way, "unarmed".
Lethal force used is simply not acceptable in this instance.
Your comment Shusha, where you try to justify lethal force with "planting bombs"... Is there any evidence of this, in this situation?
In your first paragraph you say "possibly" which suggests that there is no evidence of this.
Yes. There have been several instances of Gazans planting IEDs along the fence, including one instance yesterday. There were also two instances of the use of guns. My point being that, as far as I know, all of those now dead approached the fence with intent to do harm with weapons that are certainly (bombs and guns) or potentially (rocks and firebombs) lethal.
It is an extremely volatile situation, with anywhere between 20,000 and 30,000 people near the fence line. All those who protested peacefully well away from the fence were safe. Even some who approached the fence (including a seven year old child urged by her parents!!!!! In a clear violation of every moral and legal code) were safe.
But those carrying lethal weapons presented themselves as combatants and were met with an equal level of force.
It seems to meto be a careful, nuanced response by Israel. Yet you argue that Israel should not be permitted to use lethal force? At all?
What SHOULD be the rules of engagement, in you mind? Under which conditions is it permissible for Israel to defend itself using lethal force?
Ok, so we are talking about yesterday. Clearly you were unsure of whether in fact there was a bomb planted yesterday and, to be honest, I haven't seen any report of one being planted.
Do you have proof of those approaching the fence carrying guns and bombs with an "intent" to do harm?
There was no invasion of Israel as far as I could see? Those killed were the 'right side' of the fence no?
I didn't and never have argued against Israel using lethal force. My issue is that the IDF are firing across a border. What next? IDF crossing that border to disperse the protesters?
There is a very fine line and it seems that Israel crosses that line every time!
As for numbers of protesters, IDF have said 17,000 in total. Not sure where you get almost double that number.
If you want to argue who started what and when... "The first to die was Omar Samour, 27 - a Palestinian farmer killed in Israeli shelling as he worked his land near Khan Younis early on Friday, before the protests began."