Hamas detains Mohammed al-Dura's dad

Father of iconic Palestinian boy arrested in Gaza for allegedly shooting in the air during a family wedding.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Muhammad al-Dura 224.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
Muhammad al-Dura 224.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Hamas security briefly detained on Saturday the father of a Palestinian boy who became a national symbol when he was allegedly killed during intense fighting in Gaza seven years ago. Jamal al-Dura, 44, said he was held for four hours in a central Gaza police station and interrogated for allegedly shooting in the air during a family wedding. Al-Dura, a Fatah supporter, denied the accusations and said he can't carry guns because of his medical condition. On Sept. 30, 2000, al-Dura and his son, Mohammed, 12, were reportedly caught in a furious exchange of fire between IDF troops and Palestinian gunmen. A French TV crew seemed to capture the two cowering behind a wall, and the boy falling after he was fatally shot. The father was badly wounded. The scene was broadcast around the world and became a symbol of the second intifada. The IDF has ruled out the notion that al-Dura was killed by Israeli fire and a court case in France is set to resume on February 27 to determined what actually happened. At the police station, Hamas asked al-Dura to sign a piece of paper to pledge he will abide by the law, al-Dura said. He refused. "I am a law abiding citizen," al-Dura said. "I am a respected man around the world and here. This is an affront to me and to them," al-Dura said in reference to Hamas. Hamas security said al-Dura was called in for questioning on a firing incident and was released The IDF has ruled out the notion that al-Dura was killed by Israeli fire and a court case is set to resume in France on February 27 to determine what actually happened. At the police station, Hamas asked al-Dura to sign a piece of paper to pledge he will abide by the law, al-Dura said. He refused. "I am a law abiding citizen," al-Dura said. "I am a respected man around the world and here. This is an affront to me and to them," al-Dura said in reference to Hamas. Hamas security said al-Dura was called in for questioning on a firing incident and was released.