It’s just a drop in the bucket, but according to a report in Ma’an News Agency, Palestinian police in the town of Bidya, in Salfit, have seized 500 packets of fireworks and explosives, as well as toy rifles that are ostensibly banned from the market. Some of the toy guns shoot pellets that can cause injuries to the eyes and face.
According to Ma’an, “the sale of such toys … is an offense punishable by jail time”.
Very loud fireworks which can quite accurately be called “explosives”, are used randomly, late at night, during Ramadan, during both of the major Muslim holidays (both Eids), to celebrate passing the tawjihi exam, at weddings, etc. — despite the fact that it is illegal to sell them over the counter either in Israel or in the Palestinian Authority areas, especially to children
The toy guns are sold as gifts to children during both of the major Muslim holidays. These toys look quite realistic. In past years, children playing with such toy guns have been shot by Israeli troops who believed they were real weapons… however, this did not happen in the past two or three years — apparently a result of the ban on sale, on the one hand, and on the other hand of an education campaign within the military and police.