More of them killing each other: arabs die preparing bomb and in clan clash

Oopsy daisy. From PCHR - Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

#1 Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms, Misuse of Weapons by Armed Groups and Security Personnel

Field Update
20 August 2006

4 Palestinian Killed by Misuse of Weapons in Jenin and Qalqilya

Four Palestinians were killed over the past two days in Jenin and the town of Kufr Laqif, near Qalqilya, in incidents of misuse of weapons.

PCHR's preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 03:00 on Friday, 18 August 2006, a large explosion was heard in the Marj Bin Amer Park and Swimming Pool, owned by the Yassin family from Deir Abu Da'if, northeast of Jenin. Ambulances arrived at the scene and transported the torn bodies of 3 Palestinians to Khalil Suliman Hospital in Jenin. The killed are:

- Malek Jaber Mohammad Yassin (26) from Deir Abu Da'if;
- Shadi Hussein Ali Mallah (28) from Beit Qad; and
- Anan Ahmad Mustafa Daraghma (28) from Toubas.

It is noted that the three were agricultural engineers. It is believed that they were preparing an explosive device. They were members of Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions, the armed wing of Hamas.

And at approximately 19:00 on Saturday, 19 August 2006, Mahmoud Amin Awad Jaber, a 43-year old resident of Kufr Laqif (east of Qaliqilya) was returning home from a hunting trip in the mountains to the east of his hometown. He was riding in a tractor and was leaning on his hunting rifle. A bullet accidentally fired from the rifle. It penetrated the body from the right armpit, killing Jaber instantly. At approximately 20:15, Jaber's body was taken to Rafedia Hospital in Nablus.

PCHR is extremely concerned over the continued falling of victims by misuse of weapons by armed groups and individuals, which are a continuum of the security chaos plaguing the Occupied Palestinian Territory [ROFL]. The Centre calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to seriously investigate these incidents and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

#2 Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms
Armed Personal and Clan Disputes

Field Update
20 August 2006

1 Palestinian Killed and 4 Injured in Armed Personal and Clan Clashes in Rafah and Khan Yunis

One Palestinian was killed and four others were injured on Friday, 18 August 2006, in three incidents of armed personal and clan clashes in Rafah and Khan Yunis.

PCHR's preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 18:30 shots were fired during a clash between members of Zannoun clan near the UNRWA clinic in Rafah. The shooting resulted in the death of Ismail Khalil Qishta (19). He was killed by a bullet to the abdomen by mistake as he was sitting in front of the house of his friend, Ra'ed Abdel Hakim Zannoun (22). Ra'ed was moderately injured by a bullet in the left hand. In addition, Ramzi Awad Zannoun (24) was moderately injured by a bullet in the left thigh. The victims were taken to Mohammad Yousef El-Najjar Hospital. Qishta was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

At approximately 20:00, Ahmad Zuheir Osrof, a 22-year old resident of Khan Yunis, was admitted to Naser Hospital in the city. He was moderately injured by two bullets in the legs. A gunman fired the bullets at Osrof during a dispute between them on the Khan Yunis beach.

And at approximately 22:00, a dispute between members of El-Shawwaf clan in Greater Abasan, east of Khan Yunis, escalated into an armed clash. Three members of the clan were moderately injured during the exchange of fire.

They were taken to Naser Hospital for treatment. The injured are:
- Ala' Suliman El-Shawwaf (20), injured by a bullet in the abdomen;
- Mohammad Hussein El-Shawwaf (27), injured by a bullet in the left thigh; and
- Bilal Abed El-Shawwaf (20), injured by a bullet in the shoulder.

PCHR is extremely worried over the continued security chaos that includes the use of arms in personal and clan disputes. The Centre strongly condemns these crimes that are taking place at a critical time for the Palestinian people in light of the Israeli military operation against the Gaza Strip. The Centre calls upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.