PCHR condemns Israeli assassination attempt in Gaza

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights, PCHR, issued a statement Sunday condemning an extra-judicial execution attempt, on Sunday morning, 19 January 2014.

In the assassination attempt, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a motorbike that was being ridden by an activist of the al-Quds Brigades, in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. He was seriously wounded. Additionally, a passing child was injured.

According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 09:15 on Sunday, 19 January 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a motorbike that was traveling opposite to al-Malash tower building in the center of al-Saftawi Street in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. As a result, Ahmed Sa’ad, 22, a member of the al-Quds Brigades, who was riding the motorbike, was seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout his body. Additionally, a passing child, 11-year-old Salah Fareed al-Ghuf, was injured by shrapnel to the right foot. A nearby house belonging to Majed Mohammed Abu ‘Olba and two buses were damaged.

This attack is the first of its kind in 2014, and the second since April 2013. On 30 April 2013, an Israeli drone targeted and killed Hiatham al-Mis’hal, from Gaza City. Israeli forces have used drones in attacks against targets in the Gaza Strip, killing hundreds of Palestinian civilians and wounding hundreds of others, taking into consideration that many civilians have been killed by air strikes and it is uncertain whether they were attacked by drones or other types of warplanes.

According to PCHR’s documentation, since 2004, 636 Palestinians, including 392 civilians (this number includes 184 children and 14 women), have been killed and 438 others, including 401 civilians (this number includes 364 children and 4 women) have been wounded in attacks launched by Israeli drones.

PCHR is deeply concerned over this crime, and:

1. Strongly condemns such Israeli crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory, which reflects Israel’s disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians;

2. Reiterates condemnation for extra-judicial executions committed by Israeli forces against Palestinian activists, which serve to escalate tension in the region and threaten the lives of Palestinian civilians; and

3. Calls upon the international community to immediately act to stop these crimes, and reiterates its call for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligations to ensure protection for Palestinian civilians.