Ref: 110/2006
Date: 12 October 2006
Time: 10:30 GMT
Two Palestinian Civilians (A Man and His Child) and 3 Members of the Palestinian Resistance Killed by IOF in Greater ‘Abasan Village near Khan Yunis
On Thursday morning, 12 October 2006, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed a man and his child, when they were inside their house in Greater ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. They also killed 3 members of the Palestinian resistance who attempted to resist an ongoing incursion by IOF into the village. In addition, 9 Palestinians, 7 of whom including a woman are civilians, have been wounded by the IOF gunfire. Investigations conducted by PCHR indicate that IOF used excessive force without taking into consideration the principles of necessity and discrimination in attacking Palestinian resistance activists. PCHR is concerned over the continued presence of IOF in the area, which may cause additional casualties among Palestinian civilians.
According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:45 on Thursday, 12 October 2006, special units of IOF moved nearly 800 meters into Greater ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. IOF soldiers raided and searched 3 houses. They transformed these houses into military sites. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance gathered to confront IOF. Soon, IOF military vehicles, reinforced by helicopters, moved into the village. They opened fire at agricultural areas. As a result, two Palestinian civilians were wounded. Soon after, an IOF helicopter gunship fired two missiles at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance, who were on a field located near a number of houses. One of these missiles hit the western part of a house belonging to ‘Aadel Zer’ei Mahmoud Qudaih, 40, in which 8 people live. As a result, his child, 13-year-old Suhaib, was instantly killed, where as he was seriously wounded and died at the hospital later. In addition, Qudaih’s wife, 35-year-old ‘Abeer ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Qudaih, was wounded by shrapnel to the face and the limbs. Palestinian civilians were able to evacuate the child’s body and his mother to the hospital more than two hours later. The other missile hit the targeted resistance activists. As a result, 3 resistance activists were killed by shrapnel throughout their bodies:
1. Salah al-Din Rashad Shihda Qudaih, 21;
2. Na’el Fawzi Suleiman Qudaih, 22; and
3. ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Abdullah Mohammed Qudaih, 22.
In addition, 6 Palestinians, including 4 civilians, were wounded. One of the wounded is in a serious condition.
PCHR strongly condemns these killings, and:
1. Expresses utmost concerns for the safety of Palestinian civilians in light of the escalation in the use of force by IOF against them.
2. Reminds of other crimes committed by IOF against Palestinian civilians, and the IOF’s failure to distinguish in their attacks between civilians and militants.
3. Calls upon the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to immediately and effectively intervene to provide protection for Palestinian civilians.
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