Field update

On Wednesday, a child was killed by a live bullet during a family dispute, in which firearms were used, in Dir al-Balah City. This incident is part of the state of 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 00:30 on Wednesday, 03 January 2018, a family dispute erupted between 2 families, in which firearms were used, in al-Berkah area, southwest of Dir al-Balah City. As a result, Omar Ahmed Suliman Abu Shammas (14), arrived as a dead body at al-Aqsa Hospital in Dir al-Balah, after being hit with a live bullet to the abdomen that exited the back.

Palestinian police said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the Palestinian police officers arrived at the scene and opened investigation into the incident to identify its circumstances. The police then transferred the victim’s body to the forensic medicine department at Shifa Hospital to determine the causes of his death.

PCHR condemns the killing of Abu Shammas and calls upon the Attorney General to open a serious investigation into the incident and publish the results on public. PCHR is deeply concerned over the increasing number of victims due to using firearms. PCHR calls also upon the competent authorities to take the necessary measures to stop this phenomenon and maintain the civilians’ security and safety.