Ref: 39/2008

Date: 04 May 2008

Time: 12:00 GMT 

Armed Clashes between El-Qassam Battalions and National Resistance Battalions Kill 1 Civilian in Rafah

PCHR strongly condemns the killing of Abd El-Ra’ouf Thabet (55) from Naser village in Rafah yesterday morning as a result of armed clashes between gunmen from Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions and the National Resistance Battalions. The Centre calls for a serious investigation into the incident, which is a continuation of the security chaos plaguing the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), and calls for prosecuting the perpetrators.

The Center’s preliminary investigation and the testimony of the victim’s wife indicate that at approximately 00:00 on Friday, 2 May 2008, a dispute broke out between gunmen from Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions of Hamas and others from the National Resistance Battalions of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine over a border positions. The dispute escalated into an exchange of fire in Naser village east of Rafah. The armed clash resulted in the injury of Abd El-Ra’ouf Ahmad Thabet (55) with several bullets in the abdomen, pelvis, and thighs. He was rushed to the European Hospital in Khan Yunis for treatment; but efforts to save his life failed.

After the clashes, a large number of El-Qassam gunmen arrived in the area and enforced their control, searching several houses for the National Resistance Battalions members. El-Qassam abducted Nidal Atef Thabet (19) and severely beat Zeyad Salem Thabet (45), injuring him in the head.

PCHR strongly condemns the armed clashes between both sides, which are a continuation of the security chaos plaguing the OPT at the price of civilian life; and:

1.   Calls upon the relevant parties to seriously investigate the circumstances of the killing of Abd El-Ra’ouf Thabet, and to prosecute the perpetrators.

2.   Is gravely concerned by the house raids by El-Qassam who do not have any legal jurisdiction to conduct such actions, which are the sole responsibility of law enforcement personnel as determined by legal directives, the sanctity of houses, as well as individual rights protected by the Basic Law.