The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights regrets the sheer number of lives lost to the misuse of small arms in the Gaza Strip.
According to available information, in 2013, 44 people, including eight children and four women, were killed due to the misuse of small arms in the Gaza Strip.
In addition, 168 people were injured, including 22 children and 12 women.
Five of the 44 dead were killed in the outbreak of family feuds while seven of the 168 injuries took place in the same context.
Since the beginning of 2014, 20 people were killed in incidents of small arms misuse, including four during the outbreak of family feuds.
Al Mezan calls for appropriate procedures to be followed in order to ensure the decrease of the use of small arms.
At approximately 6:30 pm on Monday, 17 March 2014, Alaa’ Ad-Den Al ‘Awawda, 45, sustained several bullet wounds to the abdomen, pelvis, and chest.
Tareq Ali Al ‘Awawda, 46, sustained an injury in the head after being struck by a sharp tool.
They were admitted to Al Aqsa Hospital and then referred to Shifa hospital in Gaza.
In the morning hours on Tuesday, 18 March 2013, Alaa’ was pronounced dead and his body was referred to the forensic examination unit.
The incident took place in Al Bureij refugee camp in block 6 where the family lives.
There, a family feud had erupted between the family members.
Alaa’ was attempting to mediate the argument The disagreement escalated to the use of small arms.
Alaa’ was killed.
The police arrived at the scene and arrested some of the family members.
The police also confiscated two small arms at the scene; a police force still remains at the scene, surrounding the Al ‘Awawda family house.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights expresses its deep regret for the loss of life in such avoidable incidents in Gaza.
Al Mezan warns against leniency by the police on the spread and misuse of small arms and light weapons, as the consequences on society are serious and detrimental.
Al Mezan calls on the Gaza government to initiate effective and transparent investigations into this incident and to take appropriate procedures to ensure the decrease of the spread and use of small arms.
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