[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: Israeli authorities have ruled that the IDF cannot
use relatives to intervene against gunmen.

The same PA that trashed Israel for using this technique used it in
Qalqilya:

"Al-Dumairi noted that, in order to avoid bloodshed, security forces called
a number of public figures and relatives of the gunmen to convince them to
surrender."]

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights LTD (non profit)
Press Release

Ref: 69/2009
Date: 31 May 2009
Time: 10:45 GMT

3 Security Officers, 2 Members of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades and One
Civilian Killed in Qalqilya

On Saturday evening, 30 May 2009, armed clashes occurred between members of
the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) and Palestinian
security services. The incident took place in the northern West Bank town of
Qalqilya. The clashes continued until the early morning of Sunday, 31 May
2009, and resulted in six deaths (two members of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam
Brigades, the owner of a house in which the two members harbored and three
security officers). A number of other persons were also wounded.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights' (PCHR) investigations indicate
that, at approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 30 May 2009, a large force of
Palestinian security services besieged a house belonging to 'Abdul Nasser
al-Basha in the Kfar Saba neighborhood of Qalqilya. The operation was
intended to arrest Mohammed al-Samman, the leader of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam
Brigades in the northern West Bank, and Mohammed Yassin, his aide. The two
persons refused to surrender to the security services, who had brought some
of their relatives to convince them to surrender. Yassin left the house
appealing to people to lift the siege. Immediately, security officers shot
him dead. Soon after, security forces were fired at from the house and a
number of hand grenades were thrown at them. As a result, three security
officers were killed. At approximately 06:00 on Sunday, security forces
stormed the house. As a result, al-Samman and the owner of the house were
killed, and the owner's wife and a number of security officers were wounded.

Brigadier 'Adnan al-Dumairi, spokesman for the Palestinian security
services, stated to PCHR that at approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 30 May
2009, a unit of the Preventive Security Service came under attack while
conducting a routine activity in Kfar Saba neighborhood in Qalqilya. The
attackers harbored in a two-storey house belonging to 'Abdul Nasser
al-Basha. The security unit called for backups and the house was besieged.
Security forces demanded that the gunmen surrender. Al-Dumairi noted that,
in order to avoid bloodshed, security forces called a number of public
figures and relatives of the gunmen to convince them to surrender. However,
the gunmen refused to surrender and opened fire at security forces. At
approximately 06:00 on Sunday, security forces stormed the house. The
operation resulted in six deaths (two gunmen, the owner of the house and
three security officers):

1) Hussam Hassan Fares Abu al-Rokh, 43, a member of the National
Security Forces, from Jenin refugee camp;
2) Shaher Hnaini Shraim, 42, a member of the Preventive Security
Services;
3) 'Abdul Rahman Hussein Yassin, 33, a member of the Preventive
Security Service;
4) Mohammed 'Abdul Fattah al-Samman, 25, from the 'Izziddin al-Qassam
Brigades;
5) Mohammed Rasheed Yassin, 24, from the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades;
and
6) 'Abdul Nasser al-Basha, 38, the owner of the house.

PCHR regrets these incidents, and:

1) Calls for an independent investigation into the incident, the
results of which should be made public.
2) Calls upon all parties to cease the acts of incitement which have
accompanied this incident, in order to avoid more bloodshed and to ensure
the non-recurrence of the tragedies that took place in the Gaza Strip two
years ago.
3) Confirms that the relevant authorities have the right to arrest
persons suspected of violating the law. However, legal procedures relevant
to detentions and house searches must be followed.
4) Emphasizes the need to have strict procedures regulating the use of
firearms by law enforcement officials. This is essential in order to prevent
the use of excessive force and to ensure respect for international human
rights standards intended preserve the security and safety of civilians.

Public Document
**************************************
For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8
2824776 - 2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip.
E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org