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Over the weekend, Israeli authorities took to deploying drones that released <b>tear gas</b> in an alleged effort *to try and stop people* from <b>crossing the Gaza border</b> and getting into the region. The authorities fly the drone to an area where they don't want civilians, they drop the tear gas, and they're on their way. 

On Friday, it's alleged that thousands of people took to the streets in an effort to protest, calling for a return to what they believe is the land of their ancestors. Tear gas wasn't the only weapon authorities were using, they also allegedly opted to use <b>rubber bullets and live ammunition</b>.

The civilians who had been attacked by the drone with the tear gas, had allegedly been <b>unarmed civilians</b>, many women and children among the crowd. After the tear gas was dropped, panic ensued and people started to scatter once they saw the drones coming, several people were ultimately injured. 

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It's reported that at least 1,400 people were injured in the recent protests that took place at the start of the weekend. The military claims that the protesters weren't all peaceful and that some of them were engaged in throwing rocks <b>using firebombs</b>. 

## Of those who lost their lives, all were reportedly under the age of 30. 
<center> </center> This isn't the first time that the authorities have used these drones, and it likely won't be the last. Could we start to see law enforcement in other regions opt to carry out the same tactic? 

The drones that they are using are allegedly able to carry at least 6 tear gas canisters at one time and they can be dropped together or one at a time. It's also reported that authorities are working on boosting its ability to carry more, hoping to ultimately load it with 12 canisters. 

Law enforcement regularly use <b>non-lethal</b> tactics such as deploying tear gas, *which is an act of violence against those who it targets*. The tear gas can cause <b>severe injury</b> to those who are targeted and exposed. And to initiate violence against peaceful people in such a way is *cowardly and unjust*.

Authorities in areas like the <b>West Bank, Honduras, Turkey</b>, and elsewhere, have been accused of engaging in these sorts of tactics (using tear gas for protests) excessively; promoting the degrading, harmful, and inhuman treatment of peaceful men, women, and children. 


Pics:
MAHMUD HAMS – AFP via timesofisrael
Jack GUEZ AFP via timesofisrael

Sources:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-deploys-drones-to-drop-tear-gas-on-gaza-protesters/
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180331-israel-uses-drones-to-drop-tear-gas-on-gaza-marchers/
http://www.newsweek.com/israel-use-new-drones-drop-tear-gas-gaza-856293