Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms
Misuse of Weapons by Armed Groups and Security Forces
Field Update
9 Jul 2006
Two Killed and Nine Injured, including Five Children, in the Gaza Strip
Two Palestinians were killed and nine others injured, including five children, in a number of incidents involving the misuse of weapons throughout the Gaza Strip.
PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 01:15 on Sunday, 9 July 2006, an explosive device detonated in the house belonging to Emad Shabana (36), located in the third street of the Sheikh Radwan area of Gaza City. Two of Shabana’s children were injured and taken to Shifa Hospital for treatment. The injured children are:
– Jielan Emad Shabana (11), seriously injured by severe burns all over the body; and
– Ihsan Emad Shabana (10), moderately injured by burns all over the body.
At approximately 21:15 on Saturday, 8 July 2006, an explosive device detonated inside the house belonging to Salim Hasan El-Najjar, located in the Qiezan El-Najjar area of Khan Yunis. The explosion took place while the house owner’s son, Rami (an 18-year-old activist in Islamic Jihad), was handling the device. Rami, his parents, and four brothers and sisters were injured by shrapnel:
– Salim Hasan El-Najjar (47);
– Nawal Matar El-Najjar (44);
– Na’el Salim El-Najjar (21);
– Tariq Salim El-Najjar (16);
– Mervat Salim El-Najjar (16); and
– Ala’ Salim El-Najjar (14).
Medical sources described the injures of Rami’s family as moderate to light. Rami’s injuries were serious. He underwent a number of surgeries in an attempt to save his life. The efforts failed, however, and he was pronounced dead at 05:30 on Sunday, 9 July 2006.
At approximately 23:30 on Friday, 7 July 2006, Mohammad Hussein El-Ghalban, a 22-year-old resident of the Ma’an area of Khan Yunis, was admitted to Naser Hospital in Khan Yunis. He had been injured by a bullet to the left leg. The injury was caused when El-Ghalban had mishandled a weapon. His condition was listed as moderate.
At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 7 July 2006, unknown gunmen killed Haitham Ibrahim Mohammad El-Ra’i (35), an officer in the Police Force Order and Intervention Unit (Special Police). The incident took place while he was driving his car in the Rimal area of Gaza City. Medical sources informed PCHR’s fieldworker that the officer was dead upon arrival to the hospital. He had been hit by three bullets to the head.
PCHR is gravely concerned over the continued number of deaths and injuries resulting from the misuse of weapons, which has become a prominent feature of the ongoing security chaos in the region. The Centre calls upon the Palestinian National Authority to take preventive measures to prevent such incidents and safeguard the safety of citizens.
