PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 7:40 on Wednesday, 13 December 2006, gunmen in two vehicles shot and killed Bassam Abdel Malek Abdel Salam El-Farra, a 32-year old resident of Khan Yunis. The victim worked as the Director of Family Counseling in Sharia Courts in the southern Gaza Strip. And he was a commander in Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions, the armed wing of Hamas. The incident took place near the Bani Suhaila Sharia Court to the east of Khan Yunis. El-Farra was killed by several bullets to the head and chest.

In another incident at approximately 19:00 on Tuesday, 12 December 2006, gunmen intercepted the vehicle of Ibrahim Jamil Mohammad Asabna (43-year old resident of Fahma village southeast of Jenin), who is a Hamas activist. The incident took place at the eastern entrance of Kafr Ra’e village. The gunmen forced Asabna out of the car and fired several bullets at him, hitting him with 4 bullets in the legs. He was taken to Razi Hospital in Jenin for treatment, where his injury was listed as serious.

At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, gunmen and security force members participating in a demonstration against the murder of 3 children in Gaza a day earlier exchanged fire with members of the Interior Ministry Executive Force near the Mujama’ Islami Mosque east of Khan Yunis. Nafith Fawzi Abu Daqqa, a 29-year old member of the General Intelligence Apparatus, was injured by a bullet in the left thigh. In addition, Ahmad Kamel Abu Libda (27) suffered a concussion. Both were taken to Naser Hospital for treatment. Abu Libda was later transferred to theEuropean Hospital due to the severity of his injury.

PCHR is concerned over the continued falling of victims due to the use of arms by armed groups and security forces, which is part of the security chaos plaguing the Occupied PalestinianTerritory (OPT). The Centre reiterates the call to the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to seriously investigate these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Palestinian Killed and 4 Injured in Clan Clashes in Rafah and Khan Yunis

On Monday, 11 December 2006, Jamal Abu Salim from Deir El-Balah was killed, and 4 others were injured in 3 separate incidents of armed personal and clan clashes in Rafah and Khan Yunis.

PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 20:25 on Monday, gunmen in a blue vehicle fired at Jamal Farhan Abu Salim, a 35-year old resident of Deir El-Balah. The incident took place in Jamal Abdel Naser Street in the center of Khan Yunis. Abu Salim was hit by several bullets in the chest and abdoment. In addition, Mohammad Hussein El-Qidra, a 42-year old bystander, was injured by a bullet in the back. Both were taken to Naser Hospital in the Khan Yunis for treatment. Abu Salim was pronounced dead half an hour after being admitted to the hosppital. Police sources informed PCHR’s fieldworker that initial investigations point towards the crime being motivated by a clan vendetta.

In another incident, Hafith Walid El-Agha (19) and Jawad Salah El-Agha (24) were injured by bullets in their heads during an inter-clan dispute. At approximately 15:00 on Monday, members of El-Agha clan in Satar El-Gharbi area in Khan Yunis clashed in an ownership dispute over a lot of land. The injured were taken to Naser Hospital for treatment, where the injuries were listed as moderate.

At approximately 21:00 on the same day, Mohammad Fayeq Abu Erar (35), was moderately injured by three bullets in the legs and buttocks when a masked gunman fired at him in Omar Bin El-Khattab Street in Shaboura Quarter in Rafah. Abu Erar was taken to Mohammad Yousef El-Najjar Hospital for treatment.

PCHR is concerned over the continued falling of victims in armed personal and clan clashes, which is part of the security chaos plaguing the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). The Centre reiterates the call to the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to seriously investigate these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) is an independent legal body based in Gaza City dedicated to protecting human rights, promoting the rule of law and upholding democratic principles in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It holds Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations and is an affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists, the Federation Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l’Homme (FIDH), and the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network. PCHR is a recipient of the 1996 French Republic Award for Human Rights.

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