Press Release

Extra-judicial Killing of Palestinian Woman by Israeli Occupation Forces in the Gaza Strip

Date: 8 July 2000

Ref: 90/2000

Late last night around 12:30 a.m., Israeli Occupation Forces fired at two Palestinian civilian cars and shot dead a woman and critically injured her husband and their six-month old child, who are being treated at Al Shifa Hospital. Their other four-year old child was moderately injured. Another man in a different car was also shot.

The shooting took place right before the Kfar Darom settlement bridge situated in the middle area of the Gaza Strip. The bridge connects the settlement to an Israeli military installation on the other side of the road and is permanently manned by armed soldiers. A driver was passing a car on the road when Israeli soldiers shot automatic weapons from above the bridge. The passing car, which contained the Palestinian family, was passing an Israeli settler’s car. According to Saleh Mahmoud Saleh, a Palestinian from Rafah who was a passenger in the third car driving behind and who was also shot, the intensive shooting started without warning. Mr. Saleh reported that the passing car stopped, but the shooting continued. Mr. Saleh and his friend continued driving to get away from the shooting. They drove to a nearby ambulance station about 2 km away and returned to take the wounded.

According to unconfirmed reports from the District Coordinating Office, a Palestinian Authority office designated to coordinate all communications with Israeli officials, Israeli officials reported that a car parked on the side of the road fired shots at the settler’s car. Considering the sensitive location, cars are ordinarily prohibited from parking near the settlement and military installation. Neither the car nor its passengers have been located. In addition, Mr. Saleh reported that the shots came without warning.

According to the medical report from the Al Shifa Hospital, Itedal Hamza Moammar was dead on arrival with three bullet wounds to her head. Her six-month old child, Mohammed, suffers from a fractured skull and husband, Sharif Eid Moammar, received two bullet wounds in the chest. Both are in critical condition. Their other child, Rae’d received treatment and was then released. Saleh Mahmoud Saleh was wounded with a bullet in his right thigh and is still being treated.

PCHR condemns such practices of the Occupational Forces against civilians. The use of deadly force against civilians violates international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, in particular. PCHR calls upon the international community and the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to take effective measures to ensure respect for the Convention and protect civilians in the Occupied Territories.