In spite of the continuing IOF offensive against Palestinians in the OPT, the internal security situation also continues to degenerate.
Over the last two days, 9 Palestinians were killed, including 6 on 4 August in the West Bank town of Jericho.
The Gaza Strip has also witnessed many incidents relating to internal insecurity due to the absence of the rule of law and the failure of the PNA to reinforce order.
According to Al Mezan field investigations, on 6 August at approximately 00:20, a group of unknown armed persons opened fire on the car of Major Mohammed Mousa Al Mousa, the head of the military intelligence apparatus of the northern Gaza District.
Major Al Mousa was severely injured in the head and his bodyguard, Isa Nabil Abu Al Nasir was injured in the leg.
According to the testimony of Abu Al Nasir, two other cars surrounded them, fired at the car wheels, and ordered Al Mousa to get out of the car; he refused, so both sides started exchanging fire.
An executive special force of the Ministry of Interior tried to intervene to halt the crossfire, but also got wound up in the exchange of fire, which resulted in the killing of one member of the executive force.
Further, On 5 August, at approximately 10:40pm, Basil Mohammed Al Majdalawi was found killed in Abu Houli area in southern Deir Al Balah, with his hands and legs tied.
In another incident on the same day at approximately 6:10pm, armed persons opened fire on 3 youths sitting close to the Public Security junction, killing Ahmed Hamada, 32, Basim Meqdad, 27, and injuring Mohammed Al Herbawi, 32.
Previously, on 4 August at approximately 2:20pm, a fight broke out between two families, resulting in the injury of 7 persons, one of whom sustained serious injuries.
According to Al Mezan field documentation, 26 Palestinians, including 5 children, have been killed, and 104 others including 9 children were injured, since the beginning of June 2006 until the issuance of this release.
The total number of victims of the state of insecurity since the beginning of 2006 has reached 106 killed including 14 children, and 637 injured, including 75 children.
Al Mezan expresses its grave concern over the deterioration of the state of insecurity in the OPT and in particular the Gaza Strip, and demands the PNA to open investigations into these incidents, and hold the perpetrators responsible for their crimes, notably after frequent killings of prisoners inside PNA jails, which have occurred twice in Gaza's Central Jail.
Al Mezan asserts that PNA efforts have not made any progress and are not sufficient to put an end to the deteriorating internal security situation which jeopardizes the personal safety of Palestinians.
Al Mezan warns that this inaction will lead to further deterioration of the security situation and encourage people to commit more crimes.
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