Al Mezan Condemns the Escalation of the Sate of Insecurity; Calls for Investigation into the Recent Clashes in Gaza

Armed clashes erupted on Wednesday 17 October 2007 between members of Hamas police and a family in Ashijai'ya neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
The clashes resulted in killing four people, among whom three from the same family, and injuring 24 others in two days.
According to field investigations by Al Mezan, at approximately 3.
30pm on Tuesday 16 October 2007, clashes broke out between Hamas policemen and armed members from the Hillis family.
This incident ended with injuring 39-year-old Saleem Muhammad As-Safadi and 27-year-old Fayiz Tawfiq Al Bilbissi.
At approximately 8.
30pm on Wednesday 17 October 2007 the police rounded houses belonging to the Hillis family; including the house of Colonel Adil Hillis.
The police insisted that the family surrenders one of its members, a jeep that belongs to the PNA, and weapons; which the family refused.
Consequently, armed clashes erupted in which machineguns and anti-tank rockets were used.
The clashes lasted until 2am on Thursday 18 October 2007.
Four people; among whom one policeman and three from the Hillis family, were killed.
Twenty-four others were injured; including nine policemen.
The victims have been identified as: 30-year-old Dr.
Husam Ali Hillis; 20-year-old Iyad Omar Hillis; 20-year-old Samer Rifa'at Hillis; and 20-year-old Yousif Mustafa Abu Tuha.
The clashes ended after mediation by community figures.
It was agreed that the family would surrender weapons, the jeep and wanted persons to the police.
The Colonel Adil Hillis' house sustained severe damages along with other houses belonging to the family.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights expresses its sorrow for the loss of life and property during these clashes, which represent a manifestation of the return of the state of insecurity in the Gaza Strip recently.
The Center renews its condemnation of resorting of force against law enforcement personnel.
It calls for a serious investigation into the clashes in Gaza and asserts the necessity to ensure the respect of law and human rights by the law enforcement personnel, particularly as far as the use of force is involved.
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