The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH) is deeply concerned with the recent and tragic developments in the Gaza Strip on Monday, May 22, which resulted in the death of one Jordanian national. MIFTAH feels such grave developments will only escalate and spiral out of control, leading to a catastrophic situation.

On Monday afternoon, after gunfights erupted in Gaza City in the vicinity of the Palestinian parliament building between gunmen ostensibly affiliated with a newly created security unit under Hamas and Palestinian security personnel, bullets penetrated the vehicle of Jordanian ambassador to Gaza Yehya Qaralla, killing his administrative assistant, Khaled Radaida, 55 and wounding seven others.

MIFTAH calls on the relavent authorities to open an investigation into the incident to bring those responsible to justice and also on all parties involved to practice self-restraint and order to prevent any further unnecessary violence. It is deeply concerned with the fact that Palestinian infighting, particularly in Gaza, has escalated to such proportions and calls on the Palestinian government and presidency to exert every possible effort to take control over the situation and take actions in the best interests of the Palestinian people. Such fighting can only result in a breakdown of society and the prevention of any constructive efforts to realize the Palestinians’ national goals.