IDF: Gaza gunman was nurse for Doctors Without Borders

The head of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Major General Kamil Abu Rokon reveled information about the gunman Hani al-Maidalawi.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF, REUTERS
Updated: AUGUST 26, 2018 05:45
The sun sets over the Gaza Strip, as seen from the Israeli side of the border May 15, 2018 (photo credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)
The sun sets over the Gaza Strip, as seen from the Israeli side of the border May 15, 2018
(photo credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)
A Gaza gunman who infiltrated Israel’s southern border fence and shot at IDF soldiers on Monday was also a member of the international NGO Doctors Without Borders, the IDF announced.
The head of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj.-Gen. Kamil Abu Rokon, revealed information about the gunman, Hani al-Majdalawi, 28, who was killed Monday, on the unit’s Arabic Facebook page.
“Hani al-Majdalawi, who tried to infiltrate through the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip while he was armed with a rifle, opened fire towards military forces, and even threw an explosive device at them, is in fact a nurse who worked for the international organization ‘Doctors Without Borders’ until his last day,” COGAT said.
It added that Majdalawi had planned the act in advance and had purchased the rifle with his own money.
“We are wondering: how could a man certified to save lives use his salary to acquire a gun with which to take lives? He who takes part in saving lives should assist in humanitarian activities in the Gaza Strip, and should not take part in terrorism,” Rokon said.
Col. Sharon Biton, who heads the Civil Department in the Unit for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories has sought clarification from the NGO.
Doctors Without Borders did not immediately reply to phone and email queries by Reuters. Its website says the group runs three burn and trauma centers in Gaza.
Gaza authorities did not confirm Majdalawi’s death, saying that would require having his body, which they believed was being held by Israel. The IDF said they could not immediately confirm this.
No armed Palestinian factions claimed Majdalawi as a member.
In a Facebook post, Osama Majdalawi described his brother as a martyr. According to the post, Majdalawi was confirmed to have worked for Doctors Without Borders, and had been “the most socially, psychologically and economically stable among his brothers.”
Since March 30, Palestinians from Gaza have engaged in violent riots on Israel’s borders that have included infiltrations, rock throwing and shootings. Palestinian have also launched incendiary devices at the border, including flaming kites and balloons.
At least 170 Palestinians have been killed in confrontations with Israel. In addition, an Israeli soldier was killed by Palestinian sniper fire.
Palestinians have described the activities, known as the “March of Return,” as a peaceful mass protest, while Israel has attempted to explain the event was an armed assault against its southern border.


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