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6/2010
Series of Explosions and Arson attacks in Gaza - Al Mezan: Attacks Condemned; Gaza Government Obligated to Investigate, Prosecute Perpetrators
Detonating explosive devices and arson attacks against cars and coffee shops have increased in the Gaza Strip. Recently, a car exploded in Khan Younis town and a coffee shop was set to fire in Gaza City. Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights condemns these acts and calls the authorities in Gaza to investigate them and prosecute their perpetrators.
According to information collected by Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights, at approximately 3am on Thursday 2 February 2010, a white Subaru car owned by Yousif Mohammed Sarsour, 50, was destroyed in an explosion while parking near his house in Al Majadla neighborhood, opposite UNRWA Health Centre in refugee camp of Khan Younis. Fire started in the car and burnt it completely, as a result. The explosion caused light damages to adjacent houses; mainly due to shattered windows panes. Two brothers, Mohannad and Mohiye Ad-Din Ahmed Sarsour (4 and 6 respectively) were injured.
According to an affidavit given to Al Mezan by Yousif Sarsour, the police investigated the crime scene and found parts of an explosive device under his car, which was parked near his house in the refugee camp. This was the third car to be destroyed in similar attacks in the last ten days.
In a separate incident, at approximately 5:30am on Tuesday 2 February 2010, unknown persons set fire to the entrance of the Al-Basha Coffee Shop, which is located near As-Saiyd Hashem mosque in the Ad-Daraj neighborhood in the middle of Gaza City. The coffee shop belongs to Mohammed As-Sawafiri, 54; a resident of As-Sabra neighborhood in the south of Gaza City. The coffee shop is run by his son, Zakariya As-Sawafiri, 27. The explosion caused material damages to the entrance of the coffee shop. The identity and the motivations behind this crime have remained unknown.
According to Al Mezan's monitoring and documentation, there is a deterioration of the security situation in the Gaza Strip, as the number of this kind of incidents continues to increase. This situation raises concerns that a state of security chaos could return to Gaza as was the situation between 2003 and 2007.
Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights condemns the arsons and explosions which violate citizens' right to personal security and puts their lives at risk. Al Mezan calls on the Gaza Government to act upon its obligations and to initiate prompt, effective investigations in these incidents; particularly those involving use of small arms in such attacks, and in family feuds, and to prosecute the perpetrators of such criminal acts without delay.
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