Annual Report - Palestinian Center for Human Rights

Deteriorating Security Chaos and Proliferation and Misuse of Weapons
Security chaos and the proliferation of small arms has become one of the key internal
Palestinian challenges. This phenomenon manifests itself in a wide range of
transgressions against the rule of law and vigilante justice that targets people’s lives,
security and property, as well as public and private institutions. In addition, it
incorporates the misuse of weapons by Palestinian resistance factions, in the form of
storage accidents, use of weapons during rallies and parades, and accidents occurring
during operations against Israel. The year 2005 ended with more internal security
chaos and proliferation of small arms, which have endangered the security and safety
of citizens in an unprecedented way.
Clashes between clans and families have increased. Some Palestinian security
officers were killed by Palestinians. The kidnapping of internationals and locals
escalated, especially in the Gaza Strip. Attacks against institutions, governmental
buildings and the offices of international missions increased. In addition, the
incidents involving the misuse of weapons by resistance factions increased. PCHR
statistics indicate that 130 Palestinians lost their lives as a result of crimes and
incidents classified under problems relating to “security chaos and proliferation of
small arms”. These victims included 39 in the West Bank and 91 in the Gaza Strip.
The number of injured indicates the dangerous level which this deterioration in
internal security has reached, especially in the Gaza Strip. During 2005, more than
550 Palestinians were injured in these incidents.
PCHR considers two main issues when dealing with this phenomenon. The first is to
examine the role of official bodies and individuals in these crimes. The second is to
examine and assess the performance of relevant official bodies, in relation to fulfilling
their responsibilities to investigate these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.
PCHR investigations and documentation indicate that many of these incidents have
actually involved law enforcement personnel, affiliates of security branches and
armed groups affiliated with the ruling party. In addition, investigations have exposed
the failure of the Attorney-General’s office to investigate crimes and bring the
perpetrators to justice. During the past year, this failure has had a direct impact on the
deteriorating security situation, threatening civilians’ security, as well as undermining
the legitimacy of the PNA as a whole.
Armed Clashes between Palestinian Resistance Factions and Law Enforcement
Officials
A number of clashes took place during 2005 between Palestinian security forces and
armed personnel affiliated with different political parties, particularly Hamas. These
clashes led to deaths and injuries among innocent civilians, as well as damage to a
number of institutions and property belonging to both sides.
The most notable incident took place on 14 July 2005, when members of the Izzedeen
El-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, came under fire from Palestinian
security forces after firing rockets into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip. Five
members of the group were injured. Clashes erupted between armed Hamas members
and Palestinian security forces in the north and center of the Gaza Strip. These
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