Press Release:
Beit Hanoun Local Initiative Volunteers & International solidarity workers subjected to IOF shootings and grenades
eastern Beit Hanoun and found body of martyr reported missing for more than 50 days
Beit Hanoun- A group of the Beit Hanoun Local Initiative along with some members of the ISM headed to eastern area of the Beit Hanoun to buffer zone on the borders near a military base of the IOF called the Nasb el Tithkary.
The volunteers and solidarity workers headed to the area based on a humanitarian request from the family of the missing person and martyr, Ahmad Salama Eid Abu Hashish, 18 years, who is a resident of the Abu Safiyya region of the south eastern beit hanoun area . after the volunteers and solidarity workers arrived, the IOF began shooting directly at them to force them to stop moving towards the border. however, despite the threat, they headed towards the fence. after that, many soldiers headed to the fence and there was about eight jeeps and a hummer where the soldiers in them shot at the volunteers and solidarity workers in addition to using grenades that they bombed near the fence. But, the volunteers and solidarity workers continued their search and found the body of the young man decomposed as it is at about 50 metres from the fence in the shrubs. when the volunteers were picking up the body, the occupation forces began shooting at them directly, but that did not stop the volunteers from continuing their work and after managing to pick up the body, they ran towards the west away from the death and bullets that were targeting them.
saber al zaanneen, the beit hanoun local initiative coordinator, stated that "we are volunteers serving humanity and society, a call issued by the abu hashish requesting finding their missing son whom they have searched endlessly for everywhere with no result, asked us to help them in their search at the buffer zone. at once, we set search with ISM members who joined us on Sunday the 14th of June along with the father of the martyr and two other family members . We were subject to the shooting of bullets and grenades. Despite that, we continued our humane mission."
The martyr, Ahmad Abu Hashish's, body was transfered by an ambulance from the Beit hanoun hospital after the volunteers were capable of carrying the body from the buffer zone to around a kilometre of walking by foot. the local initiative expresses its condolences to the family of the martyr and wishes them patience and strength during this difficult time.
The Media Office- Beit Hanoun Local Initiative 14/6/2009
