Security Chaos and Misuse of Weapons
Misuse of Weapons by Armed Groups or Servicemen
Field Update
2 November 2009
Two Cafés Targeted with Explosives in Gaza City
During the last few days, unknown persons used explosives to blow up al-‘Andalib café and the Gallery Café in Gaza city. These two incidents are a part of the security chaos and misuse of weapons plaguing the occupied Palestinian territories (OPT).
According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 04:30 am on Sunday, 1 November 2009, unknown persons detonated an explosive charge near the entrance of al-‘Andalib café in Jamal Abdul Naser street in the west of Gaza city. Al-‘Andalib café is built on an area of 250 m2 and is owned by Mohammed Salem Taher. The explosion inflicted material damages on the entrance and on the glass windows and doors. In addition, a car that was parking near the targeted café was damaged. No casualties were reported.
In a second incident, at a proximately 04:00 am on Friday, 30 October 2009, unknown persons detonated an explosive charge near the entrance of the Gallery Café in Mustafa Hafez street in the west of Gaza city. The café is owned by the Palestinian Contractors’ Union. Louay Abu al-Qomsan, 32, who is the guard of the café sustained injuries by glass shrapnel produced as a result of the explosion. Heavy damage was caused to the entrance of the café and interior furnishings.
PCHR is seriously concerned over the continuation of such attacks which are a part of the security chaos and misuse of weapons plaguing the OPT. PCHR calls upon the government in Gaza and upon the security services to open serious investigations into these attacks, prosecute perpetrators and bring them to justice.
