(41) Palestinians were killed by Israeli Security Forces. 6 of the 41 deaths were assassinations carried out by the Israeli Security Forces.
(3) Unclear Palestinian deaths (The source of explosions or other accidents that have caused deaths is unknown)
(19) Palestinians killed by Palestinians in gunfire.
(3) Palestinian honor killings.
(0) Palestinian children killed.
(2) Israeli soldier killed by Palestinians.
(0) Israeli civilians killed by Palestinians.
Summary Report for October 2007
Fatah Threats against the PICCR
The Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens’ Rights (PICCR) has published a report on the investigations following the clash between the Islamic Bloc (Hamas affiliated) and the Student Youth Movement (Fatah affiliated) at an-Najah National University on July 24, 2007. PICCR claimed that the investigations led by the Attorney General into the death of a student were insufficient. The report also concluded that the security services failed to effectively monitor and protect the school from militants which led to the murder of a student. The Fatah Movement issued an infuriated response to the report, demanding an apology from the PICCR, and blatantly threatening the organization. PHRMG calls on Fatah leaders to retract the threat towards the PICCR and recognize the organization’s right to broadcast certain unjust realities and violations under Fatah control. Furthermore, PHRMG calls on the Attorney General to resume investigations into the clashing at an-Najah National University.
Honor Killings
On October 25th, 2007, the bodies of Sima Mohammad Ali El-Adel and her sister Eman (25) were found in their house in Qalqilya. Their brother was arrested by the Palestinian General Intelligence Service later that day and quickly confessed to the murders. He claimed the attacks as honor killings, a phenomenon that has escalated dramatically in recent years throughout the Palestinian Occupied Territories. Also, on October 22nd, 2007, Wafa Abdallah Wahdan was found in a dumpster in Qalqilya. Three suspects have been arrested, and while none are Wahdan’s relatives, the murder is suspected to have been an honor killing. The PHRMG calls on the Palestinian leadership to take effective measures in prosecuting individuals responsible for these heinous crimes against women, particularly by mandating longer and more serious prison sentences.
Israel Sanctions Continue on Gaza Strip
In response to the escalation of Qassam rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, Israel has instituted a new sanctions policy that will strongly decrease the amount of fuel admitted into the territory through crossings with Israel. The Palestinian Fuel Authority in Gaza claims that it will only be a few more days before Palestinian civilians feel the crunch on fuel supplies in Gaza. International organizations, including the E.U., have condemned this collective form of punishment that will only worsen the already devastating humanitarian condition in the Gaza Strip. Collective punishment will serve to revive hatred for Israel among the Gazan civilian population and only encourage Palestinian support for Hamas’ terrorist resistance tactics. The PHRMG strongly urges Israeli leadership to seek alternative methods for halting Qassam rockets and to punish the specific individuals responsible for the attacks instead of holding the entire Gazan population accountable.
Continued Human Rights Abuses in Gaza
Various human rights abuses have continued by Hamas Security Forces in the Gaza Strip. In October, police have continued raids on Fatah offices and are suspected of using excessive force against Fatah supporters. On October 2nd, during a funeral procession for two killed Hamas militants, followers raided a nearby welcome tent for a recently released Fatah prisoner. Police security forces participated in the raid of the tent and a house, injuring one woman and destroying property. Four individuals were detained in a security compound in Gaza City. One claimed that he was tortured during the interrogation. Additionally, on October 3rd, security forces surrounded Fatah’s Leadership Office in Western Gaza City and asked employees to leave the building. Hamas has not yet relinquished control over the facility. In addition, later that evening, Adel Abed M’doukh (35), a Fatah leader from Naser Quarter in Gaza was found behind El-Durra Hospital in Gaza City with gun shot wounds and signs of torture. The victim’s father claims that M’doukh was abducted earlier that night. The PHRMG strongly condemns the continued attacks against Fatah supporters throughout Gaza and the excessive force used by security officers during detainment and interrogation. The PHRMG urges Hamas leadership to halt clashing with Fatah supporters and prosecute security officers for the use of torture on detainees.
Torture and Excessive Force used by PA Security Forces
In the past month, there have been several reports on the Palestinian Authority Security Forces’ torture of detainees. For example, on September 30th, 2007, detainee Rasem Khattab Hasan Mostafa was admitted to Rafedia Hospital in Nablus showing extreme signs of beating and fatigue. It is reported that gunmen had forcefully escorted Mostafa out of Andaleeb Nursing School in Nablus using the sounds of gunfire to disperse students. In addition, it was recently revealed that on September 17th, “M.K.” was arrested and brought to a security headquarters in Nablus where he was held until October 11th, 2007. He was psychologically and physically tortured in investigations about his connection to Hamas. The PHRMG ardently condemns the use of torture by the P.A. security forces on detainees. The PHRMG calls on the P.A. leadership to effectively prosecute officers for these violations and make widespread efforts to education officers on the seriousness of such offenses.
***Outside Sources for the summary report include: the Palestinian Center for Human Rights and Ha’aretz Newspaper***
The statistics below represent a summary of the number of the Palestinian and Israeli fatalities during October 2007 according to PHRMG Research. The fatalities are classified as the following:
- Palestinians killed by Israeli Security Forces
- Unclear Palestinian deaths
- Palestinians killed by Palestinians in gunfire
- Palestinian honor killings
- Palestinian children killed
- Israeli soldiers killed by Palestinians
- Israeli civilians killed by Palestinians
