Clashes took place this morning between security officials and armed groups who broke into a gas station in northern Nusseirat Camp, as well as Balsam and Karama military hospitals and the Ministry of Finance.
According to Al Mezan’s fieldworkers, at approximately 9am on March 20th, armed clashes broke out at Al Jamarek junction on Salah Al Din road in Beit Hanoun (Erez) area, between security forces and around 100 armed persons who opened fire on a convoy including Major General Alaa Hosni, General Director of Palestinian Police.
The clashes resulted in three individuals injured: Nael Abu Salmiya, 32 who suffered bruises ion his chest and neck, Mowafeq Al Bansh, 23 who was shot in his right thigh, and a civilian Nazeeh Abu Odah, 25 who was shot in his right leg.
Police officials broke into Balsam military hospital located in east Beit Lahia after reports of the killing of on of their colleagues during clashes.
Security forces fired repeatedly into the air, causing a state of panic amongst patients and medical staff.
The clashes are still continuing sporadically.
Today at 10.
55am, in a separate incident, a group of approximately 20 armed persons attacked the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in Gaza City, and opened fire from Al Dhafer tower opposite the MoF building.
Furthermore, at approximately 7.
45am on March 20th a group of 30 armed persons broke into Al Karama military hospital located in Small Abassan town in Khan Younis district.
They closed off the entrance and prevented doctors and employees from entering the hospital.
The hospital was closed and staff dismissed until negotiations with the armed group solved the problem.
At approximately 1.
20am on the same day, another armed group attempted to break into the Electricity Generating Company, located in Nusseirat Camp in the south of Gaza City.
However, the groups was confronted by security forces and denied access to the building.
One security officer Nael Abu Khadra, 28, was shot in the stomach and taken to Al Aqsa martyrs hospital in Deir Al Balah; he remains in critical condition.
Based on Al Mezan documentation, since the beginning of 2006, 20 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip, among them 3 children, and 84 injured, including 16 children.
Moreover, there have been 113 breaches of the law and 10 kidnappings where a total of 17 persons were abducted, including 10 foreigners.
In addition, 34 offensives were committed against public facilities.
Thus, the number of victims of the state of growing insecurity since March 3rd 2002 has reached 197 killed, 1,275 injured and 72 kidnapped, among them 32 foreigners.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights expresses its deepest sorrow over the loss of victims and the offensives against public facilities; it condemns the ongoing state of insecurity and the PNA inability to undertake effective steps to halt this state.
Al Mezan confirms further crimes will be committed if impunity continues with respect to the perpetrators of these acts; it hereby holds the PNA and its president responsible for the current situation and issues the following demands: Fight the spread and misuse of small weapons, and punish those holding weapons in the street or in residential areas and who illegally use weapons especially in family feuds, weddings or public ceremonies.
Reinforce the rule of law, implement juridical orders on all members of society and punish those in breach of the law.
Put an end to the regular offensives against private and public institutions, and provide protection to institutions, in particular hospitals.
Al Mezan asserts that the new Cabinet must give priority to ensuring stability and safety within Palestinian society.
End