Ref: 113/2020

Date: 31 October 2020

Time: 13:30 GMT

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights condemns today’s violent clashes in Balata refugee camp in an interfamily dispute that included the use of firearms and explosive devices; one person was killed, and 6 others were wounded. PCHR expresses its grave concern over these developments and considers them a reflection of the continued assault on the rule of law and use of firearms in family disputes and worries for their threat to civil peace.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 02:00 on Saturday, 31 October 2020, members of (A) and (Sh) families got into an armed fight  in Balata camp, eastern Nablus. The clashes continued until 06:30; injuries arrived at Rafidia Surgical Hospital in Nablus. At approximately 07:00, H.A was injured by an explosive device with wounds all over his body; he was admitted to the intensive care unit at Rafidia Surgical Hospital and later died of his wounds at 10:00.

During the Balata clashes, six others were injured, including one critically wounded:

1. Rami M. I. Msaimy (37): live bullet in the pelvis;
2. Mahmoud I. Abu-Sareis (40): live bullet in the left leg;
3. Mohammed A. Fatouh (43): live bullet in the foot;
4. Mohammed M. Dajani (40): live bullet in the neck;
5. Ammar Kh. Tayyan (21): live bullet in the foot;
6. Jameel Th. Haj-Ahmad (50): shrapnel in the neck.

The media reported that, according to the Nablus Governorate, security services are monitoring the consequences of the clashes and remain present within Balata camp to prevent further developments.

PCHR expresses its extreme concern for the increasing manifestations of the social violence phenomenon, mostly the increase in violent interfamily disputes and crimes, misuse and mishandling of weapons and other concerning incidents that constitute a threat to the right to life, the rule of law, and the Palestinian civil peace.

PCHR notes that social violence incidents have been on the rise recently on a wide scale in the occupied Palestinian territories, and often include the use of firearms and sharp tools, which resulted in several deaths and injuries among Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

PCHR demands an investigation into the clashes in Balata camp by the competent authorities and calls for prosecuting those responsible before a competent court. PCHR also calls for the adoption of stringent measures to curb the use of firearms outside the rule of law.