Security Chaos and Proliferation of Weapons

Clashes between Armed Groups or with Security Forces

Field Update

20 March 2006

4 Persons Injured in an Armed Clash between Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Palestinian Police

Four Palestinians were injured in an armed clash between members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Palestinian Police on Salah al-Din Road, near Beit Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip. The injured included 2 policemen, a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and a civilian bystander.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 09:30 on Monday, 20 March 2006, an exchange of fire took place between members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement, and Palestinian Police on Salah al-Din Road leading to Beit Hanoun crossing. A Police officer, Na’el Nizar Abu Salmeya, 32, from al-Shati refugee camp, was injured by shrapnel to the abdomen. The armed group had closed the road with explosive devices, and deployed its members on both sides of the road. They intercepted Palestinian police vehicles on their way to Beit Hanoun crossing to escort the chief of Palestinian police, Major General Alaa’ Hosni. They were demanding jobs and registering their names in the security forces’ lists.

The clashes between the two sides intensified as police reinforcements were brought to the area. The clashes continued until 10:00, and resulted in injuring 3 people:

1.      Nazih Rashid Abu Odeh, 25, from Beit Hanoun, injured by a live bullet to the left foot when he was driving a tractors;

2.      Mowaffaq Jama’an al-Nansh, 22, from Beit Hanoun, one of the gunmen, injured by a live bullet to the right thigh; and

3.      Mohammed Abu Sitta, 31, from Beit Hanoun, one of the gunmen and a member of the Preventive Security Service, wounded by a live bullet to the right hand. 

At approximately 10:30, a number of the guards of chief of the police, Major General Alaa’ Hosni arrived at Balsam Hospital in Beit Lahia.  They opened fire inside the hospital.  They transported their colleague who was injured in the aforementioned clash from Balsam Hospital to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. 

PCHR is concerned about the continuation of internal violence, which constitutes a continuum of 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.