The Israel Defense Force will be implementing new, “more humane” methods of crowd dispersal, reports Ynet.

Following a series of of experiments conducted recently by the military to test non-lethal weapons, the army has approved the changes to avoid escalations of violence.

An army officer told the news source that a new rubber bullet, which will be adopted by the IDF, “is considered a more humane weapon”.

In the past, the IDF had considered using “safer” dispersal methods already employed by Israeli police, but have refrained due to questions regarding whether they are indeed non-lethal.

Last year, controversy arose surrounding the death of East Jerusalem teenager Mohammed Sinokrot, whose relatives claim he was killed by a rubber bullet.

The tens of thousands of rubber bullets, 40 millimeters (1.5 inches) in diameter, purchased by the IDF will be used in Judea and Samaria. They will be rolled out as part of a pilot project in the coming weeks for border guard units. Only authorized personnel will be allowed to fire them, and only from a minimum range of seven meters (23 feet).

The bullets have a total range of a few dozen meters.

Additionally, specially authorized units will be permitted to use the Ruger firearm to fire small lead projectiles into an instigator’s lower body.