ei: Internal Violence Continues in the Gaza Strip

On Sunday, 28 May 2006, a number of attacks occurred in the Gaza Strip, as the security chaos in the area continues. One citizen was kidnapped in Khan Yunis, another was injured by gunfire in Gaza, and armed clashes broke out between members of the same clan in Greater Abasan.

PCHR�s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 13:00 on Sunday, gunmen kidnapped Naser Zere�i S�laiyeh (30), while he and his wife were about to take a taxi in Khan Yunis. He was brought to an undisclosed location. The kidnapping was motivated by a clan dispute between the S�laiyeh clan and the clan of the kidnappers. S�laiyeh clan members gathered in the Ma�an and Joret El-Lout areas in the west of Khan Yunis and armed clashes erupted between the feuding clans. No injuries were reported. After approximately two hours, the kidnapped man was released following intervention from community leaders.

At approximately 21:00 on Sunday, unknown gunmen in a civilian car fired at Taysir Mohammad Sallouha (24), who is a bodyguard for the Palestinian Minister of Transportation. The incident took place near Sallouha�s home in the Naser area of Gaza City. He was injured by a bullet to the left leg and was taken to Shifa Hospital for treatment, where his condition was described as moderate.

And at approximately 22:00 on Sunday, members of the Qodeh clan exchanged fire in the town of Greater Abasan, east of Khan Yunis. The incident took place near El-Nour Mosque in the town. No injuries were reported. It is noted that the clashes broke out following a dispute between members of the clan that had occurred in the mosque.

PCHR is concerned about the continuation of internal violence, including the use of weapons in personal and clan disputes, which is further aggravating the current state of security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Centre calls upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893 PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip.
E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org

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 F�d�ration 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.