Continuing Incidents of Misuse of Weapons

Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

Misuse of Weapons by Armed Groups and Security Personnel

Field Update

5 March 2006

Continuing Incidents of Misuse of Weapons

Over the past 4 days, the Gaza Strip witnessed a series of security chaos incidents that included:

–         Injury of a citizen in a clan dispute in Bureij refugee camp;

–         Injury of 3 citizens, while locally-manufactured explosive charges were being handled;

–         Detonation of an explosive charge outside the house of a citizen in Gaza City; and

–         Kidnapping and beating of a citizen in Nuseirat. 

PCHR’s preliminary investigations indicate that at approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 5 March 2006, Mohammad Abu H’jayer (20 years old and a resident of Bureij refugee camp) was admitted into Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir El-Balah.  He was suffering from gunshot wounds to his left forearm and his condition was classified as stable.  An argument had broken out between him and his father, who subsequently shot his son.

At approximately 12:05 on the same day, unknown assailants detonated an explosive device in front of a 5-storey residential house, belonging to the Muheisin clan in the El-Daraj area of Gaza City.  The entrance of the house and commercial shops in the ground floor suffered damage.  The motive of the attack is not known and the police have started an investigation into the incident.

At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 4 March 2006, Majdi Abed Rabbo, a 19-year-old resident of Izbit Abed Rabbo in Jabalia, was injured in the back by a bullet fired during a clan dispute.  He was taken to Kamal Odwan Hospital, where his condition was classified as moderate.

At approximately 17:00 on Friday, 3 March 2006, Ibrahim Zaqzouq, a 19-year-old resident of Jabalia, was injured in the feet by shrapnel resulting from the explosion of a home-made grenade.  He was taken to a hospital, where his condition was described as moderate.

At approximately 21:30 on Thursday, 2 March 2006, Mo’ayed Shaban Naser, a 19-year-old resident of Jabalia, was injured in the thighs by shrapnel resulting from the explosion of a home-made explosive device.

At approximately 21:00 on Wednesday, 1 March 2006, an armed group kidnapped Majdi Amer Abu Yousef, a 30-year-old resident of Nuseirat refugee camp, who works as a staff sergeant in the Palestinian Military Intelligence Apparatus.  The kidnapping took place on the coastal road, opposite El-Zahra City.  He was released after one hour, during which time he had been severely beaten and his weapon taken.  He was taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir El-Balah for treatment.  The reason behind the incident is not known.

PCHR is concerned about the continuation of internal violence that includes the use of arms in personal and clan disputes.  These acts are a continuation of the state of security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  The Centre reiterates its call upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice.