Security Chaos

Misuse of Weapons by Armed Groups and/or Security Forces

Field Update

26 March 2007

Two Killed by Misuse of Weapons

PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 10:50 on Monday, 26 March 2007, Hasan Mohammad Yousef Abu Ma’rouf (38, from Khan Yunis) was brought to Naser Hospital in Khan Yunis suffering from a bullet wound to the chest. He died shortly afterwards from his wounds. Abu Ma’rouf was a member of the Interior Ministry Executive Force. Sources in the Executive Force indicated that Abu Ma’rouf and a colleague were in an administrative room inside the Executive Force compound to the west of Khan Yunis when he was injured; and that an investigation has been opened into the incident.

In another development, Basel Fathi Dawoud (24, from Beit Lahia) died on Sunday, 25 March 2007, of wound sustained a month ago when he and a friend mishandled a weapon a month ago. He was transferred from Shifa Hospital to an Israeli hospital due to the severity of his injury.

PCHR is concerned over the continued falling of victims by the misuse of weapons, especially by security forces. The Centre calls upon the PNA to take adequate preventive measures against such incidents.