Ref: 78/2007

Date: 01 August 2007

Time: 12:00 GMT

Gunmen Kill a Captain in the National Security Forces

PCHR Condemns the Killing of Captain Talal Abu Safeyya (38), an Officer in the National Security Forces, near his House in Northern Gaza City; and calls for prosecuting the perpetrators.

The Center’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 5:40 on Wednesday, 1 August 2007, two masked gunmen fired heavily at the vehicle driven by Talal Abu Safeyya at a distance of about 50 meters from his house in El-T’wam to the north of Gaza City. Eyewitnesses indicated that the gunmen fired from the front and left sides of the car, and fled the scene. They fled in a vehicle that had another gunman and the driver. Abu Safeyya was hit by several bullets in the head, chest and rest of the body that killed him instantly. Abu Safeyya’s body was taken to Kamal Odwan Hospital, and from there to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City for examination by the pathologist.

It is noted that Abu Safeyya is a former activist in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and was imprisoned in Israel for 11 years. However, the PFLP cut off the relation with him. The motive for the crime remains unknown.  

PCHR condemns the murder of Talal Abu Safeyya and calls for taking the necessary legal steps against he perpetrators. The Centre renews the call to the Attorney-General and the civilian police to resume their work in the Gaza Strip in order to protect the security and interests of the civilian population.