Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

Misuse of Weapons by Armed Groups and Security Personnel

Field Update

27 March 2006

4 Citizens Injured As result of the Misuse of Weapons

Two citizens, including a child, were injured in two separate incidents involving the misuse of weapons in Khan Yunis.  Militants in Nablus also fired at two citizens for alleged collaboration with Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 26 March 2006, Nabeel Subhi Mohammed al-Bayouk, 19, from Khan Yunis, was injured by a live bullet to left foot from an unknown source, while he was walking in the al-Sikka area of Khan Yunis. 

Earlier on Sunday, at approximately 15:40, a number of militants from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, fired at Yasser Ahmed Yassin, 40, and Ibrahim Ahmed Saber Yassin, 27, at the northern entrance of Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus.  The two brothers, from Northern ‘Assira village to the north of Nablus, were injured by several live bullets to the legs.  The militants left the two brothers bleeding at the location of the attack and placed a leaflet near them, accusing them of collaboration with IOF.  The two brothers were later evacuated to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. 

At approximately 20:30 on Thursday, 23 March 2006, Ayman Mahmoud Tabasi, 14, from Khan Yunis, was accidentally injured by a live bullet to the right leg, when an armed man fired gunshots during a wedding party in the Baten al-Samin area, south of Khan Yunis.  He was evacuated to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. 

PCHR expresses grave concern over the misuse of weapons by armed groups and individuals, which has become an increasingly common feature of the ongoing security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  PCHR emphasizes that it is the right and duty of the Palestinian National Authority to take legal measures against those suspected of collaboration with IOF and this must be done in a manner that ensures suspects enjoy their full legal rights, as protected by law.