HTML clipboard

Ref: 110/2004

Date: 17 July 2004

Time: 10:30 GMT

PCHR Condemns the State of Chaos in the Gaza Strip

PCHR strongly condemns kidnapping a number of Palestinians and foreigners by Palestinian armed groups on Friday, 16 July 2004.  PCHR believes that these actions reflect a state of security chaos and lawlessness in the Palestinian National Authority territories, especially in the Gaza Strip, which endangers the safety and security of people. 

On Friday, Chief of Police Major General Ghazi al-Jabalai, Commander of Palestinian Liaison Force in the southern Gaza Strip Colonel Khaled Abu al-‘Ola, and 4 French citizens working in the field of humanitarian relief were kidnapped in 3 separate incidents.  It is not clear whether the three incidents are interrelated, but they are partially related to demands regarding corruption in the Palestinian National Authority. 

At approximately 14:30 on Friday, a number of gunmen intercepted the convoy of Major General al-Jabali on the costal road near the entrance of Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.  They kidnapped him to the neighboring al-Boreij refugee camp.  Efforts made by Palestinian mediators proved fruitful as al-Jabali was released 2 hours later following promises to consider the demands of the kidnappers, who accused al-Jabali of corruption.  This attack against al-Jabali was the third this year; on 5 February 2004, a number of gunmen attacked him in his office, and on 29 April 2004, a ticking bomb was blown up near his house shortly after he had left the house, damaging the entrance of the house, but causing no casualties.

At approximately 19:00 on Friday, an armed group linked with Fatah movement Colonel Abu al-‘Ola.  The kidnappers stated to the media that Abu al-‘Ola was kidnapped to meet demands to re-employ a number of members of security services who had been dismissed, and for his alleged corruption.  Abu al-‘Ola was released at approximately 02:00 on Saturday, 17 July 2004, following negotiations with the kidnappers. 

At approximately 21:45 on Friday also, an armed group linked with Fatah movement kidnapped 4 French citizens, including 2 women, while they were sitting in a coffee shop in Khan Yunis.  The kidnappers stated that they carried out this operation in protest to Terri Rod Larsen’s criticism for the Palestinian Authority, which was supported by France as the kidnappers claimed, and to demand housing for hundreds of Palestinian families whose houses in Khan Yunis had been demolished by Israeli occupying forces. One of the kidnappers stated to the media that they kidnapped those French citizens in protest to corruption, and to demand reforms, prosecuting corrupt officials and providing job opportunities for the unemployed.  Negotiations with the kidnappers were concluded with the release of the French citizens following promises to consider demands related to the local situation. 

PCHR condemns these actions, and does not accept justifying them by demands to make reforms.  PCHR believes that these actions reflect a serious deterioration in the internal situation, in light of the current security chaos and lawlessness in the Palestinian National Authority territories, especially in the Gaza Strip.  PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority and national factions to assume their responsibilities and take necessary steps to end this state of chaos, which threatens the safety and security of people, and ensure the rule of law.    

“END”

Public Document

**************************************

For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 – 2825893

PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: [email protected], Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org