In a move similar to that of Jewish families whose relatives were victims of Palestinian terror attacks in Israel, the Arab families said Thursday night they will file suit for monetary compensation in the deaths.
The Athamneh, Aduan and Kassem families who lost relatives in the attack have retained the services of Israeli Jewish attorney Ehud Segev to represent them in a civil lawsuit against the State.
Segev, who confirmed that he was hired to represent the families, said he will demand monetary damages as compensation to the families for the wrongful deaths when IDF artillery when awry in the Gaza town.
Rassan Kassem said in an interview with the Haaretz news service that filing a claim in an Israeli court was one of a number of options available to the families.
“We know Israel does not recognize Palestinian claims,” he said, “but this is a special case. There was no battle in the area and no Kassam came from us. These people were killed sleeping in their beds. Even Israel recognized that this was different and accepted responsibility. Now it must compensate us.”
Kassem lost his older brother in the attack. His mother was seriously injured and is now receiving treatment at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.
According to Kassem, the families are being urged by PA groups and international human rights organizations to take the case to the International Court of Justice in the Hague. He added, however, that the family preferred to “make a quiet deal with Israel, and only if this is rejected will we consider what else to do.”
The Athamneh, Aduan and Kassem families who lost relatives in the attack have retained the services of Israeli Jewish attorney Ehud Segev to represent them in a civil lawsuit against the State.
Segev, who confirmed that he was hired to represent the families, said he will demand monetary damages as compensation to the families for the wrongful deaths when IDF artillery when awry in the Gaza town.
Rassan Kassem said in an interview with the Haaretz news service that filing a claim in an Israeli court was one of a number of options available to the families.
“We know Israel does not recognize Palestinian claims,” he said, “but this is a special case. There was no battle in the area and no Kassam came from us. These people were killed sleeping in their beds. Even Israel recognized that this was different and accepted responsibility. Now it must compensate us.”
Kassem lost his older brother in the attack. His mother was seriously injured and is now receiving treatment at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.
According to Kassem, the families are being urged by PA groups and international human rights organizations to take the case to the International Court of Justice in the Hague. He added, however, that the family preferred to “make a quiet deal with Israel, and only if this is rejected will we consider what else to do.”