Security Chaos and Misuse of Weapons
Attacks against Officials and Public Institutions
Field Update
5 July 2009
Three Murders in Hebron as a Result of Family Disputes and Misuse of Weapons
On the morning of 5 July 2009, Mohammed Nedal al-Harbawi, from Hebron, was killed as a result of misuse of weapons by a gunman. In a second incident, yesterday evening, 4 July 2009, Feras Imreizeq, from Hebron, was killed in a family dispute. Maher Abu Snaina, also from Hebron, was killed in a family dispute on 30 June 2009.
According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), in the early hours of Sunday, 5 July 2009, Mohammed Nedal al-Harbawi, aged 47, from Hebron, was killed when he was hit by a bullet from a firearm with which another civilian was playing. Sources from the Palestinian police told PCHR that the police arrested [M. M.] after he admitted to the crime. The sources confirmed that the accused would be referred to the Attorney-General’s office for necessary legal action and presented to the judiciary.
In a separate incident, at approximately 23:00 yesterday evening, Saturday, 4 July 2009, the body of Feras Shafiq Imreizeq, 34, from Ethna village in the northwest of Hebron, was found in the Baqar area on Halhoul-Noba road, northwest of Hebron. His body was transferred to al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron. Medical sources at the hospital reported that Imreizeq was killed while driving his car by two bullets to the head and several bullets in the upper chest. Local sources in Ethna reported that the crime was a family revenge attack and that the victim was not directly involved in the affair.
Colonel Ramadan ‘Awad, chief of the Palestinian police in Hebron, stated that as soon as the police were informed of the crime in Halhoul yesterday and the other incident south of Hebron city this morning, a force from the police and the general bureau of investigations moved to the crime scene and collected criminal evidence. He said that a representative of the Attorney-General’s office was present at the evidence collection. ‘Awad added that the police arrested a number of people suspected to be involved in the two crimes.
It should be noted that Maher Abdul Latif Abu Sneina, 29, from Hebron, was killed last Tuesday, 30 June 2009, when a member of his family fired at him after a previous dispute.
PCHR is concerned about the rising deaths and casualties resulting from the misuse of weapons in personal and family disputes, which is a reflection of the ongoing state of security chaos and misuse of weapons plaguing the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR reiterates its calls upon the Palestinian Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.
