Security Chaos and Proliferation of Weapons

Using Weapons in Personal and Family Disputes

Field Update

19 October 2006

3 Palestinians, Including a Child, Wounded in Khan Yunis 

On Wednesday, 18 October 2006, 3 Palestinians, including a child, were wounded when firearms were used in family disputes in Khan Yunis.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR:

At approximately 12:00 on Wednesday, 18 October 2006, Rami Jamal al-Najjar, 21, from Khan Yunis, was wounded by a live bullet to the left thigh, when one of his relatives fired at him in a market in the town. The attack came as a result of personal differences.

At approximately 15:00, armed clashes between the families of al-Masri and Abu Taha were resumed near Jourat al-Lout and Shiekh Nasser areas in Khan Yunis, where the two families live. As a result, a passing child and a member of the Abu Taha family were wounded:

1.    Mahmoud Saleh al-Battar, 13, wounded by a live bullet to the back; and

2.    ‘Ata Subhi Abu Taha, wounded by a live bullet to the right shoulder.

PCHR is increasingly concerned over the continuation of the use of weapons in personal and family disputes, which is further aggravating the state of security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.