Field Update

21 May 2013

On Monday, 20 May 2013, two Palestinian
civilians were killed and 4 others were wounded, including 3 women, after
sustaining gunshot wounds that were fired in a family quarrel that occurred in
the western side of Gaza City.  This
incident is part of the phenomenon of the misuse of weapons and violations of
the rule of law in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).

According to investigations conducted by
the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) at approximately 22:30 on
Monday, 20 May 2013, a family quarrel erupted between members of Abu-Safia
family in the west of Gaza city, that developed to the use of firearms.  As a result, two men of the Abu-Safia family
were killed, and four other members sustained wounds.  The killed men were identified as: Ahmed
Hussain Abu-Safia (42), a lawyer and human rights activist who was hit by a
bullet to the head; and Mo’taz Kamel al-Din Abu-Safia (22), a journalist and
reporter for the Algerian Satellite Channel al-Shorouq who was hit by multiple bullets
throughout the body.  The wounded are
Thoraya Izzidin Abu-SAfia (23); Maha Sa’id Mahmoud Abu-Safia (48); Maisa Usama
Abu-Safia; and Usama Hussain Abu-Safia (57).

According to Palestinian police
resources, the police arrived at the scene immediately after the incident took
place, examined the scene, investigated the crime and arrested 10 members of
the Abu-Safia family.  They also added
that the investigation is still ongoing to reveal the circumstances and motives
of the incident.

PCHR condemns this incident which is part
of the phenomenon of the misuse of weapons and violations of the rule of law in
the oPt, and calls upon the Attorney General to seriously investigate it and
bring the perpetrator before justice.