Ref: 67/2013
Date: 24June 2013
Time: 08:15 GMT

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) calls upon the Attorney General in Gaza to open an investigation into the incidents that took place on Saturday, 22 June 2013, in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, during a law enforcement mission of the Palestinian police, in which a Palestinian was killed and his brother was wounded, and to publish the results of such investigation.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 15:30 on Saturday, 22 June 2013, Ra’ed Qassem Jundiya, 28, was fatally wounded by a bullet to the head, and his brother ‘Alaa’, 42, was wounded by a bullet to the right hand, in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, when the police attempted to arrest Ra’ed. The two brothers were evacuated to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. On Sunday noon, 23 June 2013, Ra’ed was pronounced dead

Ra’ed Jundiya is a member of the al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad.

The Ministry of Interior in Gaza issued a press release on Sunday stating:

“The Public Prosecution issued a summon notice a few days ago against Ra’ed Jundiya for accusations of kidnapping a member of the al-Khaldi family in al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, based on the family’s information. Jundiya was phoned to refer to the police, but he refused. On Saturday evening, 22 June 2013, 3 police officers headed to Jundiya’s house to hand him the summon notice. His father informed the officer that his son was not at home, so the officers left the place. Soon, Jundiya got out of the house, screamed and attacked the police vehicle which transported the officers. In response, the police officers fired into the air. Immediately, Jundiya took out his pistol to fire at the officers. As his father and brother attempted to prevent him from shooting, a bullet was unleashed from his pistol and hit him. Tension spread over the area, and the police are trying to restore order and will not allow anyone to violate the law and the public order.”

On the other hand, the al-Quds Brigades issued a statement on Sunday, 23 June 2013, stating that “the attempt by the police of the dismissed government to arrest the victims and then firing at him because he was involved in unveiling a group that attempted to steal the resistance’s weapons, instead of supporting him prove that the agenda of these parties was not noble and they even attempted to support the stealer against those who have the right.”

In light of the above, PCHR calls upon the Attorney General to open an investigation into these incidents, in which Jundiya was killed and his brother was wounded, to publish the results and to take necessary legal action.