Field Update

Yesterday dawn, 13 April 2019, Palestinian civilian was killed after being mistakenly shot by armed members of al-Qassam Brigades while his father and he were returning from their agricultural land, east of Rafah. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) calls upon the competent authorities to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and ensure non-recurrence of such incidents.

According to PCHR’s investigations and statements of the family, at approximately 02:55 on Saturday, 13 April 2019, Majed Mohammed Abu Hadayed (55) and his son Mohammed (18,) from al-Nasser village, east of Rafah, were driving their car back from their agricultural land in Karm Abu Omer area, which is 800 meters away from Israeli Sofa military site, east of Rafah. After driving 200 meters away from their land, Majed heard the sound of shooting, so he stopped the car. He was then surprised with 2 armed persons wearing military uniforms; one of them shouted in his face saying that he called them many times, but they didn’t respond. Majed said that he didn’t hear them, noting that there was no military checkpoint in the area. Meanwhile, Majed noticed that his son convulsed, not knowing that he was shot. Majed argued with the armed persons for few minutes before they allowed him to move. He immediately took his son to the Gaza European Hospital where Mohammed underwent medical examination. Doctors found out that Mohammed was hit with a live bullet that penetrated his back. Doctors attempted to save Mohammed’s life for 20minutes, but he died. After checking the car, it was found out that a live bullet penetrated the trunk of the car driven by Majed and his son. The bullet penetrated the front seat from the back, where Mohammed was sitting, and hit him in the back causing his death.

The police arrived at the area and took Majed’s statement on the incident. A public figure from Rafah then arrived at the area and informed the family that al-Qassam Brigades in Rafah is fully responsible for the incident and ready for the family demands. Mohammed’s dead body was referred to Forensic Medicine in Gaza upon the Public Prosecution’s demand. Sources in the police said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the police opened an investigation into the incident and referred the dead body to the Forensic Medicine to continue the legal procedures.

PCHR condemns this incident and calls upon the competent authorities to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and ensure that non-recurrence of such incidents.