Ref: 155/2007
Date: 06 November 2007
Time: 10:00 GMT
9 Injured in Armed Clashes between Gunmen and Security Forces in Balata Refugee Camp
Nine bystanders were injured on Monday, 5 November 2007, when gunmen and Palestinian security forces clashed in Balata refugee camp east of Nablus. The clashes erupted after Palestinian security forces detained two armed security personnel in civilian clothes in the center of Nablus. It is noted that Palestinian security forces have started the implementation of a security plan in Nablus and surrounding refugee camps since the beginning of the month. The launching of this security plan came after Israel allowed the deployment of nearly 200 Palestinian security personnel.
PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 12:30 on Monday, 5 November 2007, a Palestinian security patrol of 4 jeeps were on duty near Shuhada Square in the center of Nablus. They saw 2 civilian-clothed persons carrying pistols. The patrol stopped and attempted to confiscate the pistols. The armed persons informed the patrol that they are themselves security personnel. Nonetheless, the patrol detained them and took them the Juneid Prison. They were identified as Hani Hashash and Eyad El-Tirawi from Balata refugee camp. Both are members of the Palestinian security forces.
Following the arrest, gunmen from El-Tirawi and Hashash clans gathered and fired in the air. In addition, they closed the entrance of Balata and the nearby Al-Quds Street with garbage containers. Masked Palestinian security forces arrived immediately and took the roof of buildings in Al-Quds street overlooking the refugee camp. They attempted to detain Mohammad Zaki El-Tirawi, brother of the detainee Eyad El-Tirawi, and his cousin Mershed El-Tirawi. Armed clashes broke out between members of El-Tiraw and Hashash clans on the one hand and Palestinian security on the other. The security forces attempted to enter the refugee camp. Nine bystanders were injured. In the evening Mohammad and Rami El-Tirawi surrendered to the security forces.
The injured are:
1- Ahmad Mohammad Ahmad El-Natour (56), injured by shrapnel in different parts of the body.
2- Salim Mohammad Mustafa El-Hashash (30), injured by shrapnel in different parts of the body.
3- Jamil Hussein Ribhi El-Hashash (41), suffered a superficial bullet wound to the head.
4- Majdi Ismail Ra’ed Malhis (32), injured by a bullet in the left foot.
5- Maher Mousa Abu Musallam (29), injured by a bullet in the right foot.
6- Khamis Mohammad Yusef Abu Hamdan (47), injured by shrapnel in the left hand.
7- Mahmoud Abu Zatoun (22), injured by shrapnel in the right hand and hip.
8- Abd El-Fattah Nassar Abu Eisha (18), injured by shrapnel in the left hand.
9- Hassan Na’im Hasan (21), injured by a bullet in the left hand.
In light of this incident, PCHR:
– Calls for restraint and adherence by security forces in taking actions as regulated by the law, and to ensure respect of international human rights standards to ensure the safety of civilians.
– Stresses the importance of clear instructions for security personnel on the use of firearms during law enforcement actions.
– Calls for respecting legal procedures pertaining to detention and house searches.
