Field Update

In two separate incidents, two citizens were shot dead in Nablus and Jenin. The first was shot dead on Sunday morning, 09 August 2019, on Nablus-Jenin Road, near the entrance to Bazariyia village, northwest of Nablus; while the second killing occurred at dawn on Saturday by unknown persons in the vegetable market in Jenin city center. These incidents fall under the state of proliferation of weapons and assault on the rule of law in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).

According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 08 September 2019, the body of Belal ‘Abed al-‘Aziz Naji Ma’ali (41), from ‘Ijjah village in southern Jenin, was found inside his car on Nablus-Jenin Road, near Bazariyia village entrance, northwest of Nablus. It was found that his body was shot with several live bullets. The police arrived at the scene and an investigation was started by the Public Prosecution.

In a separate incident, at approximately 02:00 on Saturday dawn, armed persons opened fire at ‘Emad Saleh al-Asmar (42), from Jenin, while he was in the vegetable market in the central Jenin. As a result, he sustained multiple live-bullet wounds in his chest. Al-Asmar was taken to Jenin Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. It should be noted that al-Asmar is an observer at Jenin Municipality’s Health Department.

The Palestinian police declared that the perpetrators are known to it and warrants have been issued for their arrest.

PCHR is deeply concerned over the increasing number of casualties due to the misuse of weapons and calls upon the competent authorities to prosecute those responsible for committing such incidents and take the necessary action to guarantee civilians’ safety.