Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

Misuse of Weapons by Armed Groups and Security Forces

Field Update

4 Jul 2006

Teenage Girl Killed by Shots Fired during a Wedding and Two Injured, including a child, in Khan Yunis

PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 16:40 on Monday, 3 July 2006, the body of Amani Yousef Mohammad El-Riqib (17) arrived at Naser Hospital in Khan Yunis.  After examination, it was determined that the girl had been hit by a bullet to the head that had killed her instantly.  The bullet hit the victim accidentally, while a gunman was firing shots in the air during her brother’s wedding.  The victim was from the town of Bani Suheila, east of Khan Yunis.

This is the second incident of its kind in less than ten days.  On 25 June 2006, Anas Mohammad Khayri Abdel Jabbar Yassin (13) was hit by a bullet to the chest during a wedding in the village of Barqa.  The child is from Aseera El-Shamaleyya village near Nablus.

At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 4 July 2006, Abdel Raziq Adel Eid El-Ghalban, a 21-year-old resident of the Ma’an area in Khan Yunis, was admitted to Naser Hospital.  He had been injured by a bullet to the head.  The bullet had been fired accidentally from a gun that was mishandled by one of his brothers.  The injury was described as moderate.

Tha’er Mahmoud Abu Dakka, a 16-year-old resident of El-Farahin area in Greater Abasan, was injured by shrapnel to different parts of the body.  The injuries were caused by the explosion of an unknown device, while the boy was burning weeds around his house.  He was taken to Naser Hospital, where his injuries were listed as moderate.

PCHR is gravely concerned over the continued number of deaths and injuries resulting from the misuse of weapons, which has become a prominent feature of the ongoing security chaos in the region.  The Centre calls upon the Palestinian National Authority to take preventive measures to prevent such incidents and safeguard the safety of citizens.