Lawlessness and Proliferation of Weapons

Using Weapons in Personal and Family Disputes

Field Update

23 January 2007

A Woman Killed in an Interfamily Quarrel in al-Boreij Refugee Camp

On Monday afternoon, a woman was killed in al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. She was hit by live bullets fired by mistake during an interfamily quarrel.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 15:30 on Monday, 22 January 2007, Sameeha Hammad ‘Eissa, 34, was killed by 3 live bullets to the head fired by mistake, when she attempted to stop a quarrel between two of her brothers. Her body was transferred to the forensic medicine department at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. 

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 in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate such attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.