The Israel Defense Forces recently informed soldiers they can use live fire if they feel their lives are threatened by Palestinians using firecrackers.

The instruction, in the form of an opinion published by the legal adviser to the Judea and Samaria Division in the army magazine Bamahane, comes in the wake of increased use of firecrackers against security forces in the West Bank.

Col. Doron Ben-Barak wrote that firecrackers fired from a short distance and directly at soldiers could be considered potentially life-endangering.

However, the instruction stresses that if the firecrackers are not aimed directly at soldiers, live fire should not be used. If the firecrackers are aimed toward a fortified guard post or from farther away, the perpetrators are to be arrested.

An IDF officer told Haaretz there has been no change in the rules of engagement regarding live fire. Rather, it has been clarified that, in the case of firecrackers, as in other cases where soldiers feel their lives are in danger, the army allows them to open fire.

According to army figures published in Bamahane, there are about 20 incidents every month in which firecrackers are used against IDF soldiers in the West Bank.

Last month saw a marked increase in the use of firecrackers in clashes with security forces in Jerusalem. The army does not operate within the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem and, therefore, the police are on the front lines of the conflict within the city.

A few dozen police officers have been hurt by firecrackers, suffering mainly burns, although one police officer was injured in the ears and may lose his hearing.

The police recently tested most of the firecrackers they encounter in East Jerusalem clashes, firing them at metal plates, police protective gear and other materials.

The tests showed that a direct hit of firecrackers measuring 20, 25 or 30 millimeters in diameter could cause serious injury. According to the test, police protective gear is efficient only when the firecracker is fired from five meters away or more.

The police are also concerned about a firecracker known as a 40-millimeter Roman candle. The launcher contains a cluster of eight firecrackers that can be fired from a few dozen meters away. Tested at a distance of 20 meters, this firecracker was shown to be possibly fatal, as it penetrated a metal plate and blew apart the plastic shield used by police.

The police have established a special committee, which will meet early this week to determine the action that should be taken regarding importers and distributors of firecrackers. There are an estimated seven firecracker importers and a few dozen licensed operators in Israel. The authorities monitor importers and sales to operators, but after the firecracker reaches the operator, there is no way to follow up any further.

Operators are required to report to police and firefighters before using 40-millimeter Roman candles and show they have fired all the ones they have. But they do not have to report firecrackers of between 20 to 40 millimeters, so it is unknown how many of these make it into the hands of protesters.