Al Mezan condemns the escalation of internal fighting; 32 killed and 125 injured

Armed clashes between Hamas and Fatah continued across north Gaza, Gaza City and Khan Younis.
The new wave of clashes broke out on 25 January 2007.
32 have been killed; among whom 6 were children.
In addition, 125 were wounded; including 9 children and 5 women.
Some 50 people have also been kidnapped; of whom 17 were released and five shot in legs before being set free.
According to field investigations, armed clashes between Fatah and Hamas, with participation of members of the PNA Security Forces and Executive Force, have intensified in different areas of north Gaza, Gaza and Khan Younis where violence has seriously spread incurring organized violations of human rights.
It has resulted in numerous killings, injuries and caused damage to private and public property.
Armed men erected roadblocks restricting peoples' movement.
Al Mezan fieldworkers reported that medics have been repeatedly attacked.
Two ambulances belonging to Abasan Military Hospital were shot at as they carried wounded persons.
Both medics and the wounded men were injured.
Further, gunmen attacked two ambulances of the Ministry of Heath in Gaza City, detained the drivers, beat them and took over the vehicles.
The vehicles were returned to the Ministry later on.
Since the eruption of clashes on 25 January 2007, 32 people were killed; they are: Hussan Metair, 29 Musa Asaliya, 18 Nabil Al Jarjeer, 25 Raed Suboh, 25 Sharaf Abu Wadi, 22 Ahmad Saleh, 18 Jehad Shaheen, 16 Foad Al Khaldi, 17 Ziad Abu Zaid, 26 Mohammad Sakani, 25 Yahia Abu Bakra, 2 Raafat Totah, 22 Ehab Hamouda, 20 Zuhair Al Mansy, 45 Masoud Shamalakh, 20 Kamal Khalil, 40 Hammam Al Shaer, 21 Ibrahim Al Kahlout, 21 Mahmoud Al Khateeb, 18 Mohammad Khattab, 27 Ahmad Bahar, 22 Moadh Dweik, 21 Badr Abu Qaraya, 11 Ramizi Abu Eisha, 32 Omar Shurrab, 20 Ahmad Al Ghandour, 20 Shawqi Abu Aliyan, 19 Mahmoud Moshtaha, 25 Tareq Nasr Allah, 26 Aboud Afandi, 57 Kamal Al Najeely, 28 Wasfi Kardash, 21.
Al Mezan expresses deep sorrow over the killings; all of which were committed by Palestinians.
It also condemns the concurrent violations of human rights, especially the targeting of medics and ambulances and the restrictions of their access to evacuate casualties, the infringements of freedom of movement and freedom of expression, the attacks on private property and the spread of acts of revenge that threatened the safety of citizens.
Further, Al Mezan denounces the frequent disregard to moral and legal standards during the armed clashes; especially the killing of individuals after capturing them and targeting neutral rescue teams and ambulances.
These acts must be effectively investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.
Al Mezan reminds that such conduct is subject to personal criminal responsibility under international law.
Al Mezan thus strongly condemns the violence and killings in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
It holds the PNA, along with its Presidential and Government institutions, responsible for the recent escalation and reminds them of their clear responsibilities regarding the protection of citizens.
It also calls for immediate halt of infighting, withdrawal of gunmen from streets and revival of unconditional national dialogue.
END