Security Chaos

Misuse of Weapons by Security Forces and Armed Groups

Field Update

22 March 2007

Body Found, UNRWA Vehicle Stolen in Gaza

PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 8:00 on Thursday, 22 March 2007, people found the body of a dead person in the Juhr El-Deek village, south of Gaza City. A paper stuffed in the victim’s mouth and signed by a group claiming to be “the coming death” stated that the killing was motivated by moral issues. The victim’s identity was determined to be that of Farid Yassin Khalil Doghmosh (22) from Gaza City. He was kidnapped by unknown assailants at approximately 21:00 on Wednesday, 21 March 2007. He was severely tortured before being suffocated to death.

And at approximately 21:30 on Thursday, 22 March 2007, four masked gunmen in a car intercepted an UNRWA car in Lod-Ramla Street in Gaza City. Two of the gunmen forced the driver, Amir El-Bardawil, out of the car at gunpoint, and drove away with it. The other two gunmen sped away in their own vehicle. The identity of the thieves is not known, and the search continues for the vehicle.

PCHR is concerned over the continuation of security chaos in the OPT, and calls upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to seriously investigate these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.