Internal Fighting Claims Two Lives in Gaza; Al Mezan Condemns Attack on the American School and Ongoing Chaos

Internal disorder continues to threaten the lives of Gaza's residents.
Recent incidents include a raid on the American School, the killing of a naval police officer, the killing of one man during a a family clash, and the injury of two policemen by an explosion.
According to Al Mezan field investigations, the year 2008 is shaping up to be similar to 2007: in less than two weeks, from the beginning of 2008, 11 people have been injured and two killed from internal fighting in the Gaza Strip.
In 2007, 482 persons were killed and 2,371 were injured as a result of internal chaos and lack of security in Gaza.
According to Al Mezan field investigations, at approximately 9:30am, on 12 January 2008, 33-year-old Sami Salman Al-Rawgh was killed during an armed clash between two families in the Bedouin (Um An-Nasser) Village in north Gaza District.
The clash erupted between the two families, continuing an old feud between them.
In a separate incident, at approximately 8am, on 12 January 2008, the body of 39-year-old Sha’ban Salem Dughmosh was found in the Juhr El-Deek area northeast of Gaza Strip.
At approximately 5pm the previous day, Dughmosh left his home in the Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City, and headed to work at the naval police of the deposed Government in Gaza.
Medical sources stated that he was killed by a gunshot to the head.
Their findings suggest foul play.
At approximately 2am, on 12 January 2008, masked gunmen broke into the American School in northern Gaza City.
According to the testimony of the school's security guard, masked gunmen wearing civilian clothes stormed into the two security guards' room and took their mobile phones.
Another group of masked armed men stormed into the administrative building of the school and stole computers and other equipment, including three printers, three scanners and a microwave.
Before leaving, they set fire to five buses and a car belonging to the school.
The intruders left publications signed by the so-called Islamic Army.
This is the second attack against the American school in three days (it was attacked only three days earlier).
Al Mezan obtained a copy of a press release by the same group that warned some restaurants in Gaza of possible attacks; however, it did not mention explicitly the American School.
At approximately 10:10pm, on 11 January 2008, two policemen were moderately injured by a roadside bomb planted on Salah Ad-Din Street, near the police headquarters in central Gaza Strip.
They were returning to their homes in Al Bueirj refugee camp.
The policemen were transferred to Shuhdaa Al-Aqsa Hospital for treatment.
After this incident, the police swept the area and found another explosive device.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns the continued lack of security in the Gaza Strip.
The Center reiterates its call for serious investigations into these criminal conducts and to prosecute the perpetrators.
End