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| PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights PRESS RELEASE |
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Ref: 121/2005
Date: 10 October 2005
Time: 09:30 GMT
3 Palestinians, including 2 children, Killed by IOF
Over night, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) shot dead 3 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, when they attempted to enter Israel through the border in the central Gaza Strip to search for jobs. The victims were not armed as IOF claimed, so IOF could have arrested or used less lethal means against them.
According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 23:00 on Sunday, 9 October 2005, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Deir al-Balah opened fire at 3 Palestinian civilians who got close to the border. The three civilians were wounded, but IOF did not offer them any medical aid and left them to bleed to death
Two hours later and following coordination with IOF, a Palestinian ambulance arrived at the area. The medical crew found bodies of the three civilians, who apparently bled to death, nearly 20 meters away from the border. No weapons were found near their bodies. The ambulance evacuated the three victims to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where they were later identified as:
1. Bassam Mohammed Suleiman Abu Gharaba, 15, from Deir al-Balah, hit by a live bullet to the neck;
2. ‘Eissa Suleiman al-‘Omour, 17, from Deir al-Balah, hit by 2 live bullets to the chest and the abdomen; and
3. Mohammed Suleiman Mohammed ‘Edwan, 20, from Rafah, hit by a live bullet to the head.
IOF claimed that they fired at 3 Palestinians near the border as they suspected them of being armed and one of them carrying explosives in a bag. However, initial field investigations refute this claim and the nature of casualties indicates that IOF intended to kill these Palestinians, even though they could have arrested or had less lethal means employed against them.
PCHR is gravely concerned for this latest crime, which further proves IOF’s disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians through the use of excessive force. Attempts to infiltrate through the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to search for jobs have recently increased due to the Israeli strangulation of the Gaza Strip which has continued to result in severe economic hardship.
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Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
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