Ref: 85/2007

Date: 07 August 2007

Time: 11:30 GMT

2 Children Killed in an Explosion in Beit Hanoun

PCHR demands an immediate investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of 2 children in an explosion in Beit Hanoun this morning. The Centre reiterates the call to the Attorney-General and the civilian police to return to work in the Gaza Strip to uphold civilian rights, stressing the role of the Attorney-General in investigating such incidents.

The Center’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 7:40 on Tuesday, 7 August 2007, a brother and sister were killed by an ambiguous explosion in a walled, empty piece of land in the residential area called Ezbet Beit Hanoun to the south of the town of Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip. The victims were identified as Hala Wa’el El-Kafarna (7-year old girl) and Wesam Wa’el El-Kafarna (9-year old boy). Eyewitness accounts indicate that the explosion was very loud, but did not cause significant damage or even a hole in the ground. The explosion partially destroyed the southeast part of the wall surrounding the area. Residents of the area stated that children are used to play in the area. And a female resident stated that she saw the children enter the area minutes before the explosion. Ambulances rushed to the area of the explosion and took the dismembered bodies of the dead children to hospital.

PCHR regrets the death of these two children, and calls upon the Palestinian National Authority to immediately investigate the circumstances that led to their death. The Centre reiterates the call to the Attorney-General and the civilian police to resume their work in the Gaza Strip in order to uphold people’s rights.