Security Chaos and Proliferation of Weapons

Attacks on International Organizations and Individuals

Field Update

22 November 2006

Two Italian ICRC Delegates Abducted in the Gaza Strip

On Tuesday evening, 21 November 2006, two Italian ICRC staff members were abducted while traveling in an ICRC vehicle to the north of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 21 November 2006, a number of gunmen traveling in a civilian car (a yellow Mercedes) intercepted an ICRC vehicle near al-Matahen intersection to the north of Khan Yunis. They forced two ICRC staff members out of the vehicle and took them to an unknown destination: Claudio Moroni, an Italian psychologist; and Gianmarco Onorato, the Italian-Canadian manager of a project run in cooperation with the Palestine Red Crescent Society.  

At midnight, the kidnappers released the two hostages following negotiations between the kidnappers and Palestinian security services. The kidnappers demanded the employment of 30 persons in the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

Following the abduction of its staff members, the ICRC suspended its field activities in Khan Yunis.

PCHR is increasingly concerned over the increase in the number of kidnappings that target internationals, which has mounted to 50 in the past two years. No one involved in these crimes has been brought to justice.

PCHR strongly condemns such crimes, which harm the Palestinian people and their interests, and constitute an attack on the rule of law. PCHR calls upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to take effective legal action against the perpetrators of such crimes, which are part of the state of security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.