ei: Four More Killed in Clashes between Armed Groups and Security Forces

Palestinian children sit next to the body of two-year-old Yehya Abu Bakrah, killed in Palestinian factional clashes, during his funeral in the southern Gaza Strip, 27 January 2007. (MaanImages/Hatem Omar)

Four people were killed, including a child, and six others injured in the continued fighting between Fatah and Hamas supporters in Gaza and Jabalia.

PCHR's preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 28 November 2007, armed clashes resumed between members of the Preventive Security Apparatus and the Interior Ministry Executive Force. The clashes continued for nearly an hour and resulted in the injury of Abed Rabbo El-Khalidi (a 55-year-old policeman from Sheikh Radwan Quarter in Gaza City). He was on his way to work when he was injured. It is noted that clashed erupted between both sides last evening, but no injuries were reported.

At approximately 3:30 on Sunday, 28 January 2007, unknown assailants detonated an explosive charge in front of the house of Salim Mousa El-Sheikh Khalil (48), who is the commander of the bodyguards of PLC member Mohammad Dahlan. The explosion caused extensive damages to the ground floor of the five-story house. The explosion caused fissures in the walls, and destroyed the house windows, and those of nearby houses.

At the same time, unknown assailants detonated an explosive charge at the entrance of the house of Awad Mahmoud El-Abed Weshah (44), who is a Fatah activist and ex-prisoner living in El-Sabra Quarater in Gaza City. The explosion caused damages to the ground floor of the four-story house, and destroyed the house windows, and those of nearby houses.

On Saturday, an 11-year-old child was killed when the Executive Force stormed an apartment in the north of Gaza City. A member of the Executive Force was executed by Fatah gunmen after he was apprehended. PCHR's preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 22:50 on Saturday, 27 January 2007, members of the Executive Force stormed an apartment in building four in the Nada Housing project. The apartment belongs to Mahmoud Abu El-Qaraia, a Fatah activist. As soon as the apartment door was opened, the Executive Force members fired inside, killing Bader Mahmoud Abu El-Qaraia (11). The attackers fled. It seems that their intended target was the child's father, who was in a friend's apartment in the same building. The father and gunmen chased the Executive Force, and fired at them. One of them was injured. The injured was Ramzi Ghazi Abu Eisha (27). After he was apprehended and questioned, the Fatah gunmen killed him by firing at his head.

At approximately 22:45 on Saturday, a large explosion was heard in a street leading to the General Intelligence Headquarters in Gaza City. Two people were killed: Ahmad Khader Bahar 925) and Mo'ath Omar Dweik (25). Both are members of the Executive Force. The circumstances of their death were not clear. Sources in Shifa Hospital stated that Bahar's body was torn by the explosion; and that Dweik died of wounds sustained in the explosion.

At approximately 21:30 on the same day, an armed confrontation erupted between members of Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions and the Executive Force on the one hand and members of the National Security Forces on the other, in Zimmo Street east of Jabalia. During the confrontation, members of the Executive Force went on top of Kashif hill opposite the compound of the National Security Forces 3rd Battalion, and fired at the compound. Two members of the National Security Forces and two members of the Executive Force were injured. In addition, member of Izzedeen El-Qassam Brigades beat 4 members of the National Security Forces, and their weapons were confiscated.

At approximately 17:00 on the same day, Mohammad Hasan El-Kahlout (35) came under fire from Hamas gunmen near his house in Jabalia refugee camp. He was moderately injured by a bullet in the right thigh. He was taken to El-Awda Hospital for treatment.

PCHR is concerned over the continued falling of victims due to the use of arms by armed individuals and groups. This is a continuum of the security chaos plaguing the OPT. the Centre calls upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.

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