Lawlessness and Proliferation of Weapons

Using Weapon in Personal and Family Disputes

Field Update

24 January 2007

A Person Killed in Rafah in a Personal Dispute

On Tuesday evening, 23 January 2007, S’oud ‘Ouda al-Qadhi, 33, from Rafah, was killed by unknown gunmen.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 20:30 on Tuesday, 23 January 2007, unknown gunmen fired at al-Qadhi when he was traveling in his car in al-Shouka village east of Rafah. He was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen. He was evacuated to the hospital, but medical efforts to save his life failed. According to initial information available to PCHR, al-Qadhi was killed because of a financial conflict among members of his clan.

PCHR is gravely concerned over the continuation of the use of weapons in personal and family disputes, which is further aggravating the state of lawlessness and misuse of weapons prevailing in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate such attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice.