Ref: 94/2012 

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) is deeply concerned about the injury of 5 Palestinians, including a child, over the past 4 days due to the misuse and storage of weapons in populated areas in the Gaza Strip.  PCHR calls upon the government in Gaza to seriously investigate these incidents, which are part of the state of proliferation of weapons and assaults against the rule, take all necessary measures to ensure non-recurrence and provide protection for civilians.   

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 00:00 on Sunday, 02 September 2012, A.A. (36) and M.A. (21) were admitted into the Kamal Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, as they were wounded by bullets in their feet.  After being checked by medical personnel, it was discovered that A.A. was hit by a bullet in his right foot and M.A. was hit by a bullet in his left foot.  According to medical sources, these individuals were hit by bullets when they mishandled a pistol inside a house near a Beit Lahia housing project. 

Earlier, at approximately 19:00 on Saturday, 01 September 2012, Hussam Aatef Sobeh (15), from al-Ghboun area in Beit Lahia, was wounded by a bullet in his back.  According to police sources, an investigation was opened into the incident as the child was hit by a bullet from an unknown direction. 

At approximately 02:20, also on Saturday, an explosion occurred in a two-story house, where 4 families live.  As a result, the owner was injured by shrapnel to their right hand.  According to police sources, the explosion was caused by home-made bombs that were stored inside the house, which was followed by 4 subsequent explosions that heavily damaged the house, rendering it inhabitable.  Additionally, a nearby three-story house was heavily damaged and a bird farm was completely destroyed.

In the same context, at approximately 17:30 on Thursday, 30 August 2012, a 22-year-old Palestinian man was admitted into the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, with seriously injuries from shrapnel throughout his body.  According to investigations, he was hit by shrapnel as a result of an explosion from a projectile inside a house near al-Huda Mosque in Khan Yunis. 

PCHR is concerned about the increasing number of casualties resulting from the misuse of weapons, which is part of the state of proliferation of weapons and assaults against the rule of law.  PCHR calls upon the government in Gaza to seriously investigate these incidents, ensure their non-recurrence and provide protection for civilians.    

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