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08/01/2005:

"Israel to Use Sand Bullets During Riots"

JERUSALEM (AP) - The Israeli military said it is changing riot control methods, replacing its sometimes-lethal rubber-coated steel pellets with compressed sand bullets.

Rubber bullets have killed dozens of Palestinians in the past two decades. The new sand bullets were originally developed for close-quarter hostage rescue situations.

An Israeli human rights groups praised the decision but said it was surprising the army had taken so long to find non-lethal means of dispersing Palestinian demonstrators.

...The military has denied the new weapons were acquired in the face of possible confrontations with thousands of Jewish protesters in next month's Gaza Strip withdrawal.
Full:guardian.co.uk