Two suspects of murder of Italian activist killed by Hamas forces

[News_Editor]

Two suspects of murder of Italian activist killed by Hamas forces

2011-04-20 02:22:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

GAZA (BNO NEWS) -- Two suspects in the murder of an Italian activist on Tuesday were killed by Hamas security forces during a raid in Gaza city, the Ma'an news agency reported.

Abdul-Rahman Al-Breizat and Bilal Al-Umari were identified as the two suspects killed. In addition, a third suspect, Mahmoud Muhammad Nimir Salfiti, was injured and taken into custody.

Security forces surrounded a building in central Gaza where the three suspects were hiding. The law agents evacuated all residents in the nearby area and snipers were set on the roofs of neighboring homes.

Authorities urged the suspects to surrender but only the owner of the home, Amer Abu Ghulah, complied. Al-Breizat threw a grenade at Al-Umari and then shot himself after a brief standoff.

The three individuals were unveiled on Monday as suspects in the murder of Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian activist, journalist and human rights defender. Two men were previously detained but security forces said they were not directly involved in the assassination.

Arrigoni was abducted last Thursday by individuals demanding Hamas to release Salafist prisoners, including Abu Al-Walid Al-Mqdesi, a senior leader of the Gaza-based group.

The Italian activist was found dead and hanged in a residence in Mashrou Amer area, northwest Gaza one day after being abducted by the suspected members of the Salafi extremism group.

Arrigoni worked with the non-governmental organization International Solidarity Movement (ISM). He was granted honorary citizenship for his work on promoting the cause of the Palestinian people. ISM said that he was "more Palestinian that those who murdered him."

In recent years, Hamas security forces have been in frequent conflict with Salafi Jihadists, ultra-radical Islamists in Gaza who said that in comparison "Hamas is Islamism Lite." There are currently five major Salafist groups in Gaza.

In August 2009, a group of Salafists staged a battle in Rafah, southern Gaza. The radicals took over a mosque and declared an Islamic caliphate in the city. Hamas regained control of the area after a deadly battle in which 22 people were killed.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-20

[coma]

Good work boys!

[geriatrickid]

Good work boys!

When Israel arrests murders like this, the suspects are usually taken alive and given the benefit of due process. And yet people like you will complain about Israeli brutality.

Interesting postion that you now have.

[cdnvic]

I'm tired of all the silly trolling and baiting that goes on in this section. One post was removed, further ones will attract a suspension or posting ban.

[Orac]

Good work boys!

When Israel arrests murders like this, the suspects are usually taken alive and given the benefit of due process. And yet people like you will complain about Israeli brutality.

Interesting postion that you now have.

"Authorities urged the suspects to surrender but only the owner of the home, Amer Abu Ghulah, complied. Al-Breizat threw a grenade at Al-Umari and then shot himself after a brief standoff."