Field Update 

Yesterday, 13 February 2017, a woman was killed after being hit with a bullet in a family dispute in Johr al-Deek village in the Central Gaza Strip.  This incident is part of the proliferation of weapons and assault on the rule of law in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).

According to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR’s) investigations, at approximately 12:00 on Monday, 13 February 2017, a dispute erupted between Shahin Family members in Gaza Valley village (Johr al-Deek), southeast of Gaza City.  The dispute developed into using firearms, resulting in the death of Ulfat Mohammed Shahin (45) due to being shot with a bullet to the chest.  She was then transferred to the Forensic Department in al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.  During the dispute, two other civilians were wounded and later identified as ‘Abdel Karim Fathi Shahin (23) and Mohammed Mahmoud Shahin (55).  The former was wounded with a bullet to the shoulder while the latter was wounded with a bullet to the abdomen.  Both of them were transferred to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.

The Palestinian Police stated that its officers immediately headed to the scene and opened an investigation into the circumstances of her death.  The investigations are still going on.

PCHR condemns this crime which led to the death of Shahin and calls upon the Attorney General to open a serious investigation into this and publish the results in public.  PCHR is also concerned over the increasing number of victims due to the use of firearms and so calls upon the competent authorities to take all necessary measures to end the proliferation of weapons and maintain civilians’ security and safety.