Field Update

On Saturday, 18 August 2018, 2 civilians were killed in 2 separate incidents in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in an escalation to the state of proliferation of weapons, which threatens civilians’ life and safety.

According to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR)’s follow-up,  on Saturday, 18 August 2018, Malek Ja’far Qattoush (23), from Beit Jala, was killed after being hit with a live bullet that penetrated his chest. Qattoush was killed in a dispute that occurred in front of his house in Bateer village, west of Bethlehem. Following the incident, riots occurred as Qattoush’s family burned houses and vehicles belonging to the killer’s family. After that, the police managed to control the scene.

The Spokesperson of the Palestinian police, Lo’ai Irzeeqat, said that at early dawn hours, a dispute erupted between 2 families’ members, during which several live bullets were fired. One of the bullets hit Qattoush, who was then transferred to Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation. Doctors announced Qattoush’s death few hours later.

In the same context  and on the same day, Mahmoud Bashar al-Hamaidah (22), from al-Shabourah refugee camp in Rafah, was hit with a live bullet to the head due to a family dispute. The person, who was accused of opening fire at Mahmoud, flee from the area and later surrendered to the police.

PCHR is gravely concerned over the continued proliferation of weapons in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and calls upon the Ministry of Interior to do all efforts to control the use of weapons and protect civilian’s safety, complying with law and relevant international standards.