Ref: 42/2008

Date: 07 May 2008

Time: 10:00 GMT 

PCHR Calls for Investigating the Injury of 3 Palestinians in Qabatia incl. 2 Injured in an Armed Clash between Al-Quds Brigades

Three Palestinians were injured, a civilian and two members of Al-Quds Brigades (armed wing of Islamic Jihad) on Tuesday, 6 May, in a clash and a shooting incident in Qabatia southeast of Jenin. The civilian was injured when Palestinian security forces deployed in the town as part of the new security plan in Jenin Governorate fired at a group of children throwing stones at the security forces. The other 2 injured are members of Al-Quds Brigades who were injured in a clash with Palestinian security forces.

PCHR’s preliminary investigation and eyewitness accounts indicate that at approximately 6:30 on Tuesday, 6 May, Palestinian security forces were running patrols in the café’s area in Qabatia’s main market. A group of children gathered and threw stones at the security forces, which immediately opened fire to disperse them. As a result, Mo’min Fawwaz K’meil (21) was injured by 2 bullets to the head. He was taken to El-Razi Hospital in Jenin, and then transferred to the Nablus Specialist Hospital due to the severity of the injuries. Eyewitnesses stated that the injured man was standing near Salah El-Deen Mosque in the town waiting for a car to take him to his work in Jenin. Security forces claimed that they came under fire from unknown gunmen, and replied accordingly, resulting in the injury of the man near one of its patrols. The security forces did not specify the source of the injury.

And at approximately 12:45 on the same day, an armed clash broke out between members of Al-Quds Brigades (armed wing of Islamic Jihad) and Palestinian security forces, resulting in the injury of 2 Brigades members by gunshots in the feet. Islamic Jihad and the Command of the Security Forces exchanged accusations over who started the clash.

In light of these developments, PCHR:

1. Calls upon the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), represented by the Attorney-General, to seriously investigate the injury of Mo’min K’meil and to prosecute the perpetrators, especially since eyewitness accounts affirm that the security forces did not come under fire.
2. Affirms the need for clear and definite firing instructions for law-enforcement personnel in line with international human rights standards.
3. Calls upon relevant parties to take legal steps to end the state of security chaos and attacks on the rule of law plaguing the Occupied Palestinian Territory.