March 22, 2006
Attack on Rafedia Hospital in Nablus
Attack on Rafedia Hospital in Nablus

Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

Attacking Public Institutions and Officials

Field Update

22 March 2006

 

Attack on Rafedia Hospital in Nablus

A number of gunmen stormed Rafedia Hospital in Nablus yesterday morning. They assaulted a patient with sharp objects, worsening his injuries. In addition, they injured other citizens as they fired at Palestinian security personnel.

PCHR’s initial investigation indicates that at approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 21 March 2006, two injured citizens were admitted to the hospital. One of the injured was Eyad Zayed Jamil Dweikat, a 40-year old resident of Rojit village, north east of Nablus. He was injured by a sharp object stab in the left part of the neck. The second injured citizen is Ahmad Mohammad Hasan Hamad, a 57-year old resident of Orraq El-Tayeh village, north of Nablus. He was injured by a superficial stab to the chest area.

As the hospital staff members were tending the injured, a number of gunmen armed with automatic stormed the hospital. They attacked Dweikat, and stabbed him 3 times, making his injuries worse.

Hospital security arrived upon the request of physicians and nurses. However the gunmen fired inside the hospital. They injured Fatima Awaysa, a 40-year old resident of El-Laban El-Sharqeya village, southeast of Nablus. She was hit with a bullet in the left leg. In addition, they injured Basel Dawud Abu Taha, from Nablus, with shrapnel in the left leg.

Dr. Husam El-Johari, the hospital director, told PCHR’s fieldworker that he had informed governmental authorities about the incident, which is a recurrent problem on a daily basis.

PCHR is concerned about the continuation of this dangerous attack and the continued targeting of public institutions, which constitute a continuum of the state of security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and threatens the lives of citizens. The Centre reiterates its call upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these attacks, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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