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PCHR is deeply concerned about the tragic incidents Gaza City and Nusseirat refugee camp witnessed today, in which five Palestinians, including a senior police officer, were killed by Palestinian gunfire. PCHR reasserts that the only way to contain and combat such phenomena is to promote the rule of law, conduct impartial investigations into every separate incident and bring to justice those found responsible. It’s important to strengthen the role of the judiciary, and avoid situations in which people take the law into their own hands.

The incidents began at approximately 09:00, when a number of gunmen kidnapped and killed Colonel Rajeh Abu Lehia, head of the Riot Control Unit in the Palestinian police, while he was on his way from his house in al-Karama neighborhood to his work. According to a statement by the police, a group from the Hamas movement, comprising of about 20 persons dressed in Palestinian National Security Force uniforms, stopped Abu Lehia’s car, kidnapped and killed him, and mutilated his body. The police added that “the killers, especially ‘Emad ‘Aqel, and those who stand behind them, must be handed over to the Attorney General in order for the law to uphold security, public order and the rule of law”.

‘Emad ‘Aqel is the brother of Yousef Mohammed ‘Abdul Hadi Aqel who, with two others, were killed, when the Palestinian police dispersed demonstrations that were organized near al-Azhar University and the Islamic University in Gaza City on 8 October 2001. More than 90 were injured in the incident. According to eyewitnesses, members of the riot control unit led by Colonel Abu Lehia fired at the demonstrators. The family of ‘Aqel did not receive condolences, thereby indicating their intention to revenge the death of their son. As a legal representative of the family, PCHR had submitted requests to the Attorney General to initiate an investigation in those incidents and bring to justice those found responsible, but nothing was done in this regard. PCHR was informed by the Attorney General that a presidential committee was established to investigate the incidents, but conclusions of such investigations have not yet been published, and PCHR’s request to obtain a copy of the President’s decision with regard to the investigation committee and the results of investigation, if any, has not been met. After the killing of Colonel Abu Lehia, the family of ‘Aqel started receiving condolences for the death of their son, which indicates that the killing was an act of revenge.

Hamas has issued a statement in which it expresses its surprise of what it calls “attempts to confuse things through holding Hamas responsible for the revenge incident in which Colonel Rajeh Abu Lehia was killed, especially as the family of ‘Aqel have clearly declared that they targeted Abu Lehia in revenge for the death of their son Yousef ‘Aqel, as the family accused Abu Lehia of killing their son…”

In a later development, at approximately 14:30, the police chased three gunmen in Palestinian Square, a crowded area in the center of Gaza City. According to eyewitnesses, some citizens confronted the police to prevent them from arresting the gunmen, who were believed to be members of ‘Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of Hamas, who were able to escape. Also according to eyewitnesses, policemen opened fire, injuring a number of people. Chaos spread in the area and a number of demonstrators threw stones at the police, which responded by opening fire. According to medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, about 20 people were evacuated to hospital, two of them died on the way to hospital:

1. Mohammed Fakhri Hijazi, 32, shot by a live bullet in the chest; and

2. Mahmoud “Mohammed Farouq” al-Bournu, 31, shot by a live bullet in the back, both from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

In the evening, clashes erupted between the police and a number of demonstrators who threw stones at a police station in Nusseirat refugee camp. PCHR has learnt that an exchange of fire took place between policemen and a number of gunmen. According to medical sources at al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, 16 people, including 4 policemen, were evacuated to hospital; two of them succumbed to their injuries:

1. Mohammed Abu Tu’eima, 21, shot by a live bullet in the head; and

2. ‘Eissa Mousa al-Ahwal, 20, shot by a live bullet in the chest.

1. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Attorney General to initiate an investigation into today’s incidents, to ensure that the rule of law is uphold and to bring to justice those found responsible for the shooting and killing.

2. PCHR reiterates its call upon the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Attorney General to investigate the incidents of October 2001 and bring to justice those who fired at the demonstrators, killing 3 and injuring dozens.

3. PCHR condemns that people take the law into their own hands in any circumstances.

4. PCHR asserts that the failure of the Palestinian Authority to conduct a serious investigation into the incidents of October 2001, only serves to lead individuals to take the law into their own hands.

5. PCHR calls upon the nationalistic and Islamic powers to immediately intervene to stop and contain the deterioration in the internal situation and ensure that such incidents will not extend to other places.

“End”

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Related Subjects

1) PCHR calls for continuation of efforts to end internal violence  (Press Release 22-Dec.-2001)

2) Regrettable incidents in Gaza (Press Release 06-Dec.-2001)

3) PCHR calls upon the PNA to investigate clashes in Gaza  (Press Release  08-Oct.-2001)