Field Update

On Sunday, a citizen shot dead during a family dispute, where firearms were used, in Yatta, south of Hebron, This incident is part of the proliferation of weapons and assault on the rule of law in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).

According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 04:30 on Sunday, 16 June 2019, Hisham Abu Zahra (54), was hit with a live bullet to the back during a family dispute in al-Montar area in the center of Yatta. Hisham was then taken to Abu Hasan al-Qasem Hospital in the city, where his death was declared half an hour later. Following that, the dispute between the two families developed into an exchange of fire and many houses and vehicles belonging to the family of the suspect were burnt in the city. The Palestinian security services then intervened and controlled the dispute.

The police spokesperson Col. Lu’ay Arzieqat said that the police and public prosecution began the investigation into the incident.

PCHR is deeply concerned over the increasing number of casualties due to the misuse of weapons. PCHR also calls upon the competent authorities to prosecute those responsible for committing these incidents and take the necessary action to guarantee civilians’ safety and ensure non-recurrence of such incidents.