Organized attacks on non-governmental organizations’ (NGO) offices have increased under the PNA's continued failure to confront the deteriorating security situation.
Unknown persons set fire to the Al 'Ataa Charity in Beit Hanoun.
At the same time, killings and kidnappings of persons also continued.
The journalist Alan Johnston has been kidnapped for almost a full month-old now as the PNA's failure of secure his release continues.
According to Al Mezan's field information, unknown gunmen broke into the ground floor of Al 'Ataa Charity, which is located in Az Zaitoun neighborhood in the north Gaza town of Beit Hanoun.
After smashing a window they illegally broke into the management office and destroyed its contents.
Further, they burned cars' tyres inside the newly furnished computer lab - which was to be inaugurated on the same day, the library, and the management office.
The attack resulted in total damage of the computer lab, which consisted of 13 computers connected to the internet, a printer, a scanner and a photocopier machine.
The 5,000-book library was also damaged.
No further information is available on the motivation behind the incident or the identity of the perpetrators.
This was the second attack on this same organization.
One of its rooms was set fire to in a previous attack last year.
Moreover, this NGO is only one of three NGOs, working on cultural and social issues in north Gaza, that have been likewise attacked.
Previous assaults targeted the Youth House for Culture and Arts in Beit Lahia, and the Cultural Society for the Protection of Heritage in Jabalia.
At app.
midnight on 11 April 2007, gunmen fired a propelled anti-tank rocket at the house of Khalil Al Athamna, which is located in the northeast of Beit Hanoun, causing partial damages.
No casualties were reported.
Following this attack, sporadic armed clashes between Fatah and Hamas in Beit Hanoun continued until morning.
No casualties were reported.
At app.
6am on the same day, a propelled anti-tank rocket was fired at the house of Abdel-Fattah Al Kafarna, located in northeast Beit Hanoun.
However, it hit an adjacent house and caused partial damages to both houses.
No casualties were reported.
In a separate incident, at app.
4.
30pm on 10 April 2007, armed persons kidnapped Yousef Al Ashqar, 26, while he was in downtown Beit Hanoun.
He was released later near Al Sheikh Zayid town after being shot in both of his legs.
According to medical sources, his condition is critical.
Further, at app.
11pm, on 10 April 2007, gunmen opened fire on Tahseen Al Ghalban, 33, who is an officer within the Intelligence Apparatus.
Al Ghalban was in his house in Ma'an neighborhood in the east of Khan Younis.
He sustained wounds in his chest, abdomen, and limbs and was transferred to Nasser Hospital in a critical condition, but died of his wounds at app.
3am on the same day.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights strongly condemns the escalation of the state of insecurity and the serious increase of its victims.
The Center questions the PNA's failure to face this phenomenon and the lack of effective measures that would put an end to it.
Al Mezan welcomes the recent increase in statements regarding the PNA's efforts to develop a security plan, which was described as being in its final phase by the Ministry of Interior.
Mezan emphasizes that the PNA is under an obligation to take effective and immediate steps to halt the state of insecurity and restore the rule of law.
The Center asserts that the implementation of such a plan requires time, but that the situation calls for the immediate commencement of such action.
Critical and urgent actions must be taken to protect individuals, NGOs and internet cafes that have been subject to frequent and organized attacks.
Vital action must also be undertaken with regards to the abduction of Johnston.
Such action must be prioritized by the PNA, being the only measure through which it can regain the trust of its citizens.
It is inconceivable to ensure respect and protection of human rights without functioning law enforcement institutions and impartial judiciary.
END