Annual Report - Palestinian Center for Human Rights

clashes led to the death of three children and the injury of 46 others, among them 3
security personnel. In addition, two vehicles from the Palestinian Military
Intelligence were burned.
On 19 July 2005, Palestinian Preventive Security attempted to detain a commander
from the Izzedeen El-Qassam Brigades near his home in Jabalya refugee camp. He
managed to escape in his car. The Preventive Security force pursued him, however,
and fired at him, causing minor injuries. He was transferred to Al-Wada Hospital in
the Tal E’Za’tar area, in the northeast of the camp. Over the next two days, clashes
took place between armed Hamas members and security personnel. Six members of
the Preventive Security were injured in addition to five bystanders, including two
policemen. Two members of Hamas were also injured. Offices of three institutions,
thought to be affiliated with Hamas, were set on fire. Four cars, including one
belonging to a Fatah activist, were also burned.
On 2 October 2005, clashes between armed Hamas members and Palestinian police
led to the death of three civilians and the injury of 43 others, most of whom were
children. PCHR’s investigations indicate that a confrontation between a Hamas
member and Palestinian security personnel took place near the Bank of Palestine
branch located in Nasser Street in Gaza City. The confrontation escalated into armed
clashes between the Police and members of the Izzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades, which
were called to the area. Two people from both sides were injured. A child was
seriously injured by a speeding Police car heading towards the area. The clashes
spread to the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood and Beach Camp. Hamas members
attacked the Sheikh Radwan Police station with gunfire and hand grenades. The
exchange of fire led to the death of Heyam Mohammad Nasser, a 30-year old civilian,
caused by a bullet injury to the heart. Armed Hamas members also attacked the
Beach Camp Police station. They fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a power
transformer in the area, cutting the power to the camp off. In addition, they attacked
the police station with gunfire, grenades and rocket-propelled grenades. Major Ali
Hasan Mekkawi, 35, was killed by a bullet to the head. In addition, the civilian Omar
Mohammad El-Shanti, 22, was killed by a bullet to the head as he tried to get out of
the area where clashes were taking place. A number of people were injured, including
members of Hamas and some policemen.
Attacks on Officials
There were additional attacks on PNA officials during the year 2005, including
judges, law enforcement personnel and security officials. In the most notable
incident, gunmen attacked the house of General Mousa Arafat on 7 September 2005.
Arafat was the former director of Military Intelligence and the military advisor for
President Mahmoud Abbas. The gunmen attacked his house in the Tal El-Hawa
neighborhood of Gaza City. They attacked the guards and bound them following a
gun battle that left three guards injured. The attackers then stormed the house and
forced the General to come outside. They fired at him from point blank range, killing
him immediately. They then took the body to a main street and fired at the dead
man’s head, shattering his skull. The attackers also kidnapped Arafat’s son, Manhal
(38), who is an officer in the Military Intelligence. He was later released.
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