Ref: 92/2007
Date: 15 August 2007
Time: 12:00 GMT
2 Executive Force Members Killed, Others Injured including a Woman, in Armed Clashes with a Gaza Clan
Two members of the Executive Force were killed on Tuesday evening (14 August 2007), and 7 people were injured, including a woman, in armed clashes between the Force and a members of a Gaza clan. PCHR is deeply concerned over the escalation of the clash and the falling of victims. The Centre stresses the need to pursue criminals and to combat crime that has become rampant over the past few years. At the same the, PCHR emphasizes the need for law-enforcement personnel to abide by the law and by international human rights standards in conducting during their work, in order to protect civilians.
The Center’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 16:45 on Tuesday, 14 August 2007, members of the Executive Force entered Sabra Quarter in Gaza City to detain a member of the Doghmush clan suspected of car theft. Immediately, members of the clan fired at the Force members, which resulted in the eruption of clashes between both sides in the area. Guns and rockets were used in the clashes, which continued on and off till 2:00 the following day. The clashes resulted in the killing of 2 members of the Executive Force: Mohammad Mousa Jondeyya (30) and Khaled Khader Sa’ad (28). Seven others were injured, including 5 members of the Force, a woman inside her house, and a member of the Doghmush clan. In addition, several houses were damaged in the area.
At the time of publication, the area of the clashes remained tense; and the Executive Force imposed a siege on it and deployed in roads leading into it.
Despite acknowledging the security difficulties and the falling of victims among the Executive Force and the civilian population, PCHR:
Strongly Condemns firing at on-duty members of the Force in uniform.
Calls for restraint and for law-enforcement persons to respect the law and international human rights standards while performing their work in order to protect the lives and safety of the civilian population.
Stresses the need to issue strict and clear instructions to law-enforcement personnel on the use of arms while performing their duty.
Calls for respecting legal procedures in conducting search and detention procedures in civilian houses.
