Security Chaos and Proliferation of Weapons

Attacks on Officials and Public Institutions

Field Update

29 May 2007

Director of the Office of the Higher Shari’a Judge Wounded and Director General of Ministry of Finance Abducted in Gaza

On Tuesday morning, 29 May 2007, the director of the office of the Higher Shari’a Judge was wounded when unknown gunmen, and the director general of the Ministry of Finance was released on Monday evening following a one-day abduction.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR:

At approximately 09:45 on Tuesday, 29 May 2007, Sufian Ibrahim ‘Eissa, 37, director of the office of the Higher Shari’a Judge, was wounded by several gunshots to the abdomen and the feet fired at him by unknown gunmen, when he was in front of the office in al-Nasser neighborhood in the north of Gaza City. The motive of this attack is not apparent and the police initiated an investigation.

At approximately 17:00 on Monday, 28 May 2007, Hashem Hussein Abu Nada, 57, director general of the Ministry of Interior, was released by his kidnappers in al-Sabra neighborhood in the center of Gaza City. Abu Nada was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza City at approximately 14:30 on Sunday, 27 May 2007. According to one of his bodyguards, 15 gunmen traveling in a civilian vehicle intercepted Abu Nada’s car after he had just left his work. They pointed their guns at his bodyguards and took their guns. They then forced Abu Nada out of the car and took him to an unknown destination.

PCHR is gravely concerned over these latest crimes, which are part of the state of security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these attacks and bring those who are found responsible for them to justice.