Al Mezan Condemns Injury of Dozens of Persons as a Result of an Explosion at a Wedding Party in Khan Younis

At around 11.
45pm on Tuesday 21 July 2009, an explosion occurred under a wedding party podium in the center of Khan Younis town where a popular singing troupe was performing at the wedding of the Dahlan family.
At the time of the incident, a large number of relatives of the Dahlan family and local residents, including many children, were in attendance.
  According to information obtained by Al Mezan field researchers, the explosion occurred while the groom, Mr.
Mahmoud Mohammed Mahmoud Dahlan, 25, was near the podium asking the singing troupe to conclude the party.
The party was being held near the groom’s home in Block F (Al ‘Aqad area) in the center of Khan Younis refugee camp.
The explosion injured 61 persons including several children; 42 of whom were transported to Naser Hospital and 19 to Gaza European Hospital for treatment.
Medical sources described their injuries as ranging from light to moderate.
Some of those injured are still receiving treatment.
  According to eye witnesses and the Director of Public Relations at Khan Younis police, the police rushed to the scene of the incident immediately after it occurred and began to investigate the circumstances.
The police was able to neutralize a small explosive device that had not exploded.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior, the internal security forces arrested three persons suspected of having a connection to the incident.
  Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights is gravely concerned about the large numbers of persons injured and expresses condemnation of this incident.
Al Mezan is especially concerned as this is the first incident in which a wedding party has been the target of attack.
There are no indications at current of whether this attack was politically motivated or driven by family disputes.
  In light of the above, Al Mezan calls for an inquiry to be opened into this incident and for all those proven to be involved in ordering, planning or executing this attack to be brought to justice.
Al Mezan calls for the findings of this inquiry to be made public.
  Ends