Field Update

On Friday, 24 September 2010, Yafa Cultural
Center in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, was fired at by unknown
militants, but no casualties were reported. This attack is part of the state security chaos and proliferation of
weapons in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). 

According to investigations conducted by the
Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), and the testimony of Fayez Hassan
‘Arafat, Director of Yafa Cultural Center, at approximately 01:20 on Friday, 24
September 2010, unknown militants fired at offices of the center in the Schools
Street in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. ‘Arafat stated: “I immediately went to the offices once I received
a phone call that they were fired at. A
security force was in the area and initiated investigations. The shooting, which targeted the eastern side
of the offices, in which the administration is based, caused damages to air conditioners
and windows, but caused no casualties.” ‘Arafat further said that security services informed him on the
following day that they had arrested 5 suspects and they were interrogating
them. Yafa Cultural Center was
established to develop the skills and behaviors of children. 

PCHR strongly condemns this attack, which is
part of the state of security chaos and proliferation of weapons in the OPT,
and calls upon the Attorney-General’s officer to seriously investigate it and
bring the perpetrators to justice.