Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

Armed Personal and Clan Clashes

Field Update

11 Jul 2006

1 Killed in a Clan Revenge Attack in Rafah

On Tuesday afternoon, Jaber Ahmad El-Dabbas (30), who works in the Palestinian National Security Force was killed when a gunman shot him in a revenge killing.

PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 13:15 on Tuesday, 11 July 2006, a gunman fired at El-Dabbas using a Kalshnikov rifle when the latter was in his shop in Zu’rub Building near the main taxi garage in Rafah. El-Dabbas was hit by 3 bullets in the head and back, and died instantly.

Palestinian Police indicate that the murder was a revenge killing over an intra-clan dispute within El-Dabbas clan going back a few years. Today’s victim was charged with killing one of his clan folk in a dispute in Khan Yunis. He was imprisoned for the killing.

PCHR is extremely worried over the continued security chaos that includes the use of arms in personal and clan disputes. The Centre strongly condemns these crimes that are taking place at a critical time for the Palestinian people in light of the Israeli military operation against the Gaza Strip. The Centre calls upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.