PCHR Condemns Bloody Clashes in Rafah

On Friday afternoon, bloody confrontations erupted between the police and the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) on one side and members of an armed group known as "Soldiers of Allah's Supporters" on the other side. The clashes continued until Saturday morning, taking lives of at least 28 persons and wounding more than 100 others, some of whom sustained serious wounds. The dead include 3 civilians, 3 police officers, 3 members of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades and 8 members of the armed group, including its leader, Sheikh 'Abdul Latif Mousa.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 13:00 on Friday, 14 August 2009, during the Friday Sermon, Sheikh 'Abdul Latif Mousa, the Imam of Ibn Taimiyah Mosque in al-Brazil neighborhood in Rafah, declared the birth of an Islamic emirate and called for allegiance for him and his group, which he called "Soldiers of Allah's Supporters." Sheikh Mousa also criticized the Government in Gaza and threatened it with fighting if it attempts to storm and control the mosque.

http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2009/99-2009.html

All 24 victims of Friday's Rafah clashes identified, buried

Excerpt:

At least 125 Palestinians were injured in the fighting that culminated with Hamas' armed wing storming a mosque taken over by the radical group. According to medical sources in Gaza, about 20 Palestinians were seriously wounded and four were still on life support by Sunday morning.

The 24 slain Palestinians included six members of Hamas' forces, 12 Jund Ansar Allah members, and six non-combatants. At least three young children lost their lives during the battle, presumably among the civilians.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=219339