Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

Using Weapons in Personal and Clan Disputes

Field Update

10 May 2006

1 Citizen Killed and 4 Injured, including a 4-year-old girl, during a Clan Dispute in Jenin

Yesterday afternoon one person was killed and four injured, including a four-year-old girl, during an armed clash between the El-Arda and Lahlouh clans in the town of Arraba, southwest of Jenin.

PCHR’s initial investigation indicates that at approximately 16:30 on Tuesday, 9 May 2006, an armed confrontation broke out between members of the El-Arda and Lahlouh clans in the town of Arraba, southwest of Jenin.  As a result, Ibrahim Abed El-Haj Awad Lahlouh (24) was killed by a bullet to the chest.  Another four were injured, including a four-year-old girl.  The injured are:

–         Jani Abdel Mun’im Arda, 4, injured by a bullet to her leg;

–         Bahar Nouri Arda, 24, sustained a serious injury by a bullet to the back;

–         Mohannad Fayez Lahlouh, 27, injured by a bullet to the leg; and

–         Mahmoud Orsan Lahlouh, 31, injured by a bullet to the leg.

The clashes erupted when the Lahlouh clan learned that their son, Jamal Tawfiq Lahlouh, who is being treated in Jordan after sustaining a gunshot wound, had to have his leg amputated.  His injury had been sustained during clashes between the two clans on 28 April 2006, which broke out with regard to an old dispute.  The fighting led to the injury of three members of the Lahlouh clan, including Jamal and his brother.

PCHR is concerned about the continued internal violence, including the use of weapons in personal and clan disputes, which is further aggravating the state of security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  The Centre calls upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice.