Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

Misuse of Weapons by Armed Groups and Security Personnel

Field Update

12 September 2006

Woman Killed by Mishandled Weapon in Gaza City

Nuha Ismail Saleh, a 30-year old resident of Tal El-Hawa Quarter in Gaza City, was killed this morning by a bullet accidentally fired from a firearm mishandled by her husband.

PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 2:30 on Tuesday, 12 September 2006, the body of Nuha Saleh was taken to Shifa Hospital. She is a mother of 3 children, and was killed by a bullet to the head accidentally fired from her husband’s firearm. The incident took place at home as the husband, who is an officer in the Preventive Security Apparatus, mishandled his firearm. The husband is under treatment in Shifa Hospital for shock and hysteria after the incident.

PCHR is concerned over the continued falling of victims due to the misuse of arms by Palestinian groups and individuals, which is a part of the security chaos plaguing the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Centre calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to seriously investigate these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.