Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

Field Update

6 Jul 2006

Unknown Gunmen Kill Dr. Hussein Abu Ajwa in Gaza City

Dr. Hussein Ahmad Mustafa Abu Ajwa, a 43-year old resident of El-Tuffah Quarter in Gaza City, was killed yesterday by unknown gunmen. He worked as an associate professor at Al-Aqsa University, and was a leader in Hamas.

PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 23:45 on Wednesday, 5 July 2006, a number of unknown gunmen traveling in a white car with governmental license plates chased Dr. Abu Ajwa as he was traveling in his private car and going to his house. They fired at him and injured him in the legs. Then they forcibly took him out of the car and fired lethal shots at his chest. Sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza informed PCHR’s fieldworker that Abu Ajwa was dead when he was brought to the hospital. The cause of death was bullets fired at the chest and legs from a very close range.

Izzedeen Al-Qassam Battalions, the armed wing of Hamas, issued a statement on Thursday, 6 July 2006, accusing a group of traitors of killing Abu Ajwa.

PCHR strongly condemns the murder of Dr. Hussein Abu Ajwa, which is part of the security chaos plaguing the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Centre calls upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.