Four Palestinians wounded as a result of Israeli shelling in northern Gaza

[ 27/11/2009 - 06:46 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Four Palestinians were wounded on Friday morning near the Martyrs cemetery to the east of Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip, when Israeli tanks fired at Palestinian citizens visiting their relatives tombs on the first day of Eid al-Adha. Dr. Muaweyah Hasanin, head of the emergency department at the health ministry, told PIC that Israeli planes and tanks targeted a number of Palestinians on their way to visit the tombs of their relatives wounding four of them. He added that ambulances transported the wounded to Maryr Kamal Odwan hospital in Beit Lahya, and described the condition of two of the wounded as serious and the other two as moderate. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, like in the rest of Palestine, are used to visiting the tombs of their relatives after the Eid prayers in the morning. The Martyrs cemetery in Jabalya is one of main cemeteries in the Gaza Strip.

PCHR weekly report 12-18/11/2009: 1 children killed, 1 wounded, 2 other Palestinian civilians injured, 4 arrested, 4 incursions

excerpt from PCHR weekly report No. 45/2009 12-18 Nov. 2009

 Friday, 13 November 2009

At approximately 10:00, Israeli troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Gaza Valley village, southeast of Gaza City, opened fire at 7 Palestinian children and young men who were traveling on an animal cart towards the village.  As a result, Mustafa Mohammed Sabri Wadi, 15, was killed, and Ahmed Khader Sa'doun, 17, was wounded by two gunshots to the abdomen and the thigh.  Soon after, Israeli forces moved nearly 300 meters into the area, and arrested 4 of these civilians, including the wounded child. The detainees were released later, excluding the wounded child who was taken to an Israeli hospital.  According to one of the released detainees, the seven children and young men were on their way back from a market in Gaza City traveling on an animal cart.  They saw a number of dogs.  Five of them chased the dogs towards a solid waste plant, which is nearly 300 meters away from the border, and continued to chase them up to 150 meters away from the border.  Israeli troops positioned at the border opened fire at them, so they attempted to hide behind a hill of sand, but gunshots hit two of them.  Soon after, Israeli forces moved into the area and arrested them.  According to medical sources, Wadi was hit by two gunshots to the head and the left foot.

Sunday, 15 November 2009

At approximately 08:30, Israeli troops positioned to the east of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, north of Beit Hanoun, opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians who were hunting birds nearly 500 meters away from the border.  As a result, Amjad Sa'ad Hassanain, 27, was wounded by a gunshot to the left shoulder.

At approximately 10:30, Israeli troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians who were on their agricultural lands, nearly 400 meters away from the border.  When the farmers attempted to flee from the area, Israeli troops fired at them again.  As a result, Mahmoud Mohammed Shawish, 29, was wounded by a gunshot to the feet.  

At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces moved nearly 500 meters into Palestinian areas located to the north of the Bedouin village in the northern Gaza Strip.  Until 17:00, they leveled areas of land, which had previously been razed. 

  

Wednesday, 18 November 2009  

At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces moved nearly 300 meters into al-Farrahin area in 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis.  Until 16:00, they leveled areas of land, which they had already razed.

At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces moved nearly 250 meters into Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis.  Until 15:30, they leveled areas of land, which they had already razed.    

Israeli forces shoot at Gaza bird-catchers, farmers

Eva Bartlett | The Electronic Intifada
20 November 2009

Farmer Mahmoud Mohammed Shawish Zaneen was shot in both his legs while planting wheat east of Beit Hanoun. (Eva Bartlett)

On 15 November at 8:30am, a number of young men went as usual to the land near Gaza’s northern border with Israel planning to catch birds. Amjad Hassanain, 27, was among the bird-catchers hunting near the border fence when Israeli soldiers began shooting.
The shots which missed the other bird-catchers hit Hassanain, grazing his shoulder. Cameraman Abdul Rahman Hussain, filming in the vicinity, reports having seen the group of bird-catches head north.
“We were near the former Israeli settlement of Doghit,” said Hussain, referring to the area northwest of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip.
“I had gone to the border area to photograph a young bird-catcher. We were about 400 meters from the border fence, but when we heard the shooting, we moved back to around one kilometer.”
According to Hussain, the other men had to carry the wounded Hassanain one kilometer from the site of injury, then transferred him to a motorcycle and finally to a car.
“He was covered in blood, I couldn’t tell where he was hit,” said Hussain.
There to document the work of bird-catchers, Hussain was surprised by the shooting.
“They always go there to catch birds. They put their nets close to the fence in order to catch as many as possible.” Like the bird-catchers, Hussain believed the Israeli soldiers along the border were familiar enough with the bird catching activity that they wouldn’t shoot.
Two hours later, Mahmoud Mohammed Shawish Zaneen and seven other farmers took a break from their work plowing land east of Beit Hanoun.
“We had three tractors with us. We’d been working since 8am, planting wheat. At first we worked about 450 meters from the border fence, but later we were 700 meters away,” he explained.
The farmers had paused to drink tea when Israeli soldiers began shooting.
Zaneen added, “The tractors were stopped and we were sitting on them. There were about seven Israeli soldiers, on foot. They shot the other tractors and then shot mine. They didn’t give us any warning, just started shooting.”
The bullet which pierced Zaneen’s left calf continued into his right calf.
Since the end of last winter’s Israeli invasion of Gaza, at least nine Palestinians have been killed, and another more than 34 injured, by Israeli shooting and shelling in the border areas in Gaza’s north and east.
Eva Bartlett is a Canadian human rights advocate and freelancer who arrived in Gaza in November 2008 on the third Free Gaza Movement boat. She has been volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement and documenting Israel’s ongoing attacks on Palestinians in Gaza. During Israel’s recent assault on Gaza, she and other ISM volunteers accompanied ambulances and documenting the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

IOF Incursion into Eastern Khan Younis Town of Abassan Al-Kabeera

Al Mezan

18-11-2009

At app. 9am on Wednesday 18 November 2009, a group of IOF military vehicles moved into the town of Abassan Al Kabeera, east to Khan Younis near the border between Gaza and Israel, for nearly 200m. IOF bulldozers leveled agricultural fields. The same fields had been razed by IOF frequently. At app. 4pm on the same day, the IOF withdrew from the area.

IOF Incursion into Erez Industrial Zone, Arrests 8 including a Child

Al Mezan

18-11-2009

IOF Incursion into Erez Industrial Zone, Arrests 8 including a Child

At app. 10:30am on Wednesday 18 November 2009, a force from the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) moved approximately 300 meters into the north of the Gaza Strip. The unit moved firing intensively. It took positions in industrial premises that had been destroyed by IOF prior to the Israeli redeployment around from the Gaza Strip in 2005. The force rounded a group of Palestinian workers who were removing rubble from the area and arrested 8 of them; including a child, and took them to Israel. In the evening hours of the same day all the detainees were released. The unit withdrew with two donkey carts, which the workers used to remove the rubble of destroyed buildings. IOF moved the two carts to the Palestinian side an hour later. Al Mezan's investigations indicated that the workers remove the rubble of the destroyed buildings and sell it to brick factories, which recycle it into bricks. This is the only source of bricks for construction that is available in the Gaza Strip, which suffers from acute shortage in construction materials due the Israeli siege.

Medics: Gaza farmer wounded by Israeli fire

Published today (updated) 15/11/2009 13:15

Gaza – Ma'an – A Palestinian farmer was injured by Israeli fire east of the town of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, medics said.

According to medical sources at Beit Hanoun Hospital, the farmer sustained several gunshots wounds in both feet while he was tending his land.

Local sources in Beit hanoun identified the farmer as 28-year-old Mahmoud Za’anin.

In a separate incident, a Palestinian bird hunter was injured east of Erez border crossing with Israel.

According to Hussein Hammad, a researcher for the for Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights in Gaza, Israeli forces shot 28-year-old Amjad Hussein and injured him in the back.

Meanwhile the military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claimed responsibility on Sunday for shooting at an Israeli tractor driver near the Sufa border terminal in the southern Gaza Strip.

The group said in a statement, “We will continue to resist and counter occupation by all means.”

In response to initial inquiry about the shooting of the farmer and the PFLP's claims, an Israeli military spokesperson said the incidents were under investigation.

---------------

IOF Opens Fire at Palestinian Farmers East of Biet Hanoun; Injure One

Al Mezan

At approximately 10:20am on Sunday 15 November 2009, IOF opened fire from Erez Crossing at Palestinian farmers who were in their farms at An-Nazaz neighborhood east of Biet Hanoun town. The farmers were approximately 700 meters from the border fence; well far from the announced 300-meter zone. As a result, Mahmoud Mohammed Al-Zaa’neen, 30, was injured in the legs. According to medical sources at Beit Hanoun Hospital, the injuries are moderate.

IOF Kill Child; Arrest Four by Gaza Border. Al Mezan Condemns IOF Violations; Call for International Protection of Civilians

14-11-2009

Al Mezan  88/2009

Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights condemns the murder by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) of a child and arrest of four civilians; all of whom are 17 and 18-year-olds near the Gaza border with Israel. IOF opened fire at seven children and youths as they were new the border in the Wadi Gaza village, south to Gaza City. The children were unarmed and did not pose any danger on IOF.

According to information collected by Al Mezan Centre, at approximately 9.30am on Friday 13 November 2009, IOF opened machinegun and artillery fire towards a group of seven children and youths who were near the solid waste dump, which is located northeast of Wadi Gaza village. One child, 16-yearold Mustafa Mohammed Wadi, was killed from IOF fire. Another child, 17-year-old Ahmed Sa'doun, was injured. A force of IOF ground troops entered the area and chased them and arrested four of them.

According to an affidavit given to Al Mezan Centre by 18-year-old Ahmad Salman Al-Makadma, 18, who was among the group, the seven children and youths left their neighborhood in Block 9 in the Al-Bureij refugee camp in the early morning hours on a horse-laden cart and headed to the Friday Market in Gaza City. On their way back, they passed by the solid-waste dumb in Wadi Gaza village. Five of them saw stray dogs and chased them near the border. Israeli forces saw them and opened fire at them, killing one and injuring another. Ground troops then entered the area and arrested four. Another two; managed to escape; Ahmed and his brother Saif Al-Makadma, 7.

Al Mezan knew that those who were arrested were:

-          Mohammed Khader Sa'doun, 18;

-          Ahmed Khader Sa'doun, 17; (who was also injured)

-          Nidal Rajab Abu Hajar, 18; and

-          Bakir Sa'eed Al-Makadma, 18.

Ahmed Al-Makadma informed Al Mezan that he called the emergency services when he escaped from the area. Sources in the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that two of the Society's ambulances reached the area after ICRC coordinated for them with the IOF. The ambulances team found the body of the murdered child laid on the ground approximately one kilometer from the border fence.

Al Mezan Centre strongly condemns the continued acts of killing by the IOF in the Gaza Strip, which more than often target children. These acts reflect that IOF continue to act without regard to the rules of international law, which prohibit any attacks against civilians but also taking measures to ensure their safety and well-being.

Al Mezan also notes that most of these acts occur near the border fence in the north and east of the Gaza Strip; an area that is declared as a 'buffer zone' by IOF. However, this entire area is located inside the Gaza Strip and it is not precisely defined. IOF informed farmers and residents in certain areas as close to the border as 300 meters that that area was part of the 'buffer zone'. Nevertheless, many attacks on farmers and children occurred in areas over a kilometer from the border fence, and in times when there were no disturbances in these areas.

Al Mezan Centre calls on the international community to take prompt actions to ensure due protection of Palestinian civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt); particularly children who continue to take the brunt of IOF's attacks and the collective punishment measures. Al Mezan asserts that these continued acts by IOF require urgent actions by international community to enforce the mechanisms of accountability against those who violate international law in oPt. The prevailing culture of impunity has only served to encourage violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and must be challenged and stopped without delay.

Palestinian Youth Killed By Army Fire In Gaza, Three Wounded

Friday November 13, 2009 21:46 by Saed Bannoura - 1 of IMEMC News Editorial Group

Palestinian medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported on Friday that a Palestinian youth was killed by Israeli army fire, and three others were wounded, when the army invaded an area close to Juhr Al Deek, east of Gaza City.
The sources identified the slain youth as Mohammad Wadi, 17, from Al Boreij refugee camp. His body and his three wounded friends were moved to the Al Aqsa Hospital.

Local sources reported that Israeli soldiers invaded the area and opened fire at children who were hunting birds. Troops later kidnapped four children, including two brothers.

The two brothers were identified as Ahmad Khader Sa’doun, 16, and Mohammad, 15. One of them was also wounded and was moved to an Israeli hospital.

The Israeli Radio claimed that the army invaded the area after a group of Palestinians approached the border fence in Nahal Oz area, and that the Palestinians intended to plant an explosive charge.

The army admitted to killing one and kidnapping three others. There was no mention of ‘locating’ the claimed explosive.

The army prevented Palestinian medics from approaching the area in an attempt to evacuate the casualties.

Local sources reported that there were no resistance fighters in the area, and that the persons who were reportedly close to the border were fishermen.

Palestinian killed by Israeli fire in Gaza

Published yesterday (updated) 13/11/2009 18:31

Gaza – Ma'an – Israeli forces killed a young Palestinian man and injured three others in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday.

Two brothers were hurt, medics said, adding that the Johr Ad-Dik-area shooting left another Palestinian hospitalized.

An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed that one Palestinian was killed during the incident, but would not comment on the hospitalized youth's condition. Three others were being questioned, she said.

There were conflicting reports on what led to the incident, none of which could be independently confirmed.

Palestinian witnesses said the group was on a hunting trip near the border east of Al-Bureij refugee camp when Israeli forces opened fire. Local medics said the fire was directed at the youths.

Israeli media reported that troops entered the Johr Ad-Dik area for a short while, where they located a group of men near the Nahal Oz crossing. They were planting an explosive device, according to these reports.

In what appeared to be a third explanation, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for shooting an Israeli soldier northeast of Johr Ad-Dik.

In a statement received just before 4pm, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades said the attack came in response to the "continuous Israeli crimes against Palestinians, especially in Jerusalem."

The one youth confirmed dead was identified as 22-year-old Mustafa Muhammad Wadi. Following reports that a second youth died en route to Israel's Barzilai Hospital, a hospital spokesman told Ma'an a patient named Ahmad was receiving treatment, but refused to elaborate.

As for the three in custody, sources identified two as Ahmad Khader Sa'doon, 16, and his brother Muhammad, 15. They were both reportedly injured, as well. Officials said the Gaza City emergency and medical services department would coordinate the youth's return to Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip struck an open area in the Sdot Negev region, causing no injuries or damage.

IOF troops open fire at farmers in northern Gaza

[ 07/11/2009 - 03:47 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) opened heavy machine gun fire at Palestinian farmers while tending to their lands north of the Gaza Strip on Saturday, local sources reported. A source in the area told Quds Press that the IOF soldiers fired an artillery shell then opened machineguns at the farmers east of Jabaliya in northern Gaza Strip. Farmers were forced to abandon their lands due to the heavy gunfire that was coupled with intensified flights for IOF warplanes. A number of Palestinian citizens were wounded on Friday night when the IOF troops fired a projectile at them east of Gaza city.

Life in hell along the Gaza-Israel border

Gaza – Ma’an – Residents of the Gaza Strip’s borders live in a state of fear, particularly those who own agricultural lands near the eastern borders and cannot access them from fear of being shot by Israeli forces present in the area.

Residents further assert that they receive phone calls from Israeli soldiers demanding information on captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, in return for money.

Ahmad Hillis, a resident of the eastern region of Gaza near the border, explained the suffering they endure in the area that residents term a “shooting field,” articulating that “many people possess agricultural lands in the eastern area and cannot reach them because they are frightened of being shot by the Israeli soldiers who engage in weekly inspection and shooting operations, mess up and raze lands.”

As Hillis noted that 18 houses were destroyed in the area during the war, fellow resident Muhammad Salim added that people living in the vicinity return home early fearing that Israeli reconnaissance planes might target them at night.

According to United Nations and numerous Palestinian residents, the Israeli military maintains an exclusion zone of about 300 meters in width along the border. Anyone venturing into the zone risks being shot with live ammunition. Some residents say however that they have seen the military shoot at farmers up to 700 meters from the borderline.

As this report was written, farmers living near the border with Israel east of the city of Jabaliya said that three Israeli shells exploded in a field, causing a state of panic but no injuries.

Additionally, other residents expressed their exasperation at numerous phone calls from callers identifying themselves as members of the armed forces asking them for details on Shalit in exchange for 10 million dollars, they say, and to provide information concerning Palestinian armed forces, maintaining that such propositions are always rejected.

Israeli forces shell northern Gaza

Gaza – Ma’an –Israeli shells landed in an open area in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, causing panic but no injuries, witnesses said.

Residents of the area said three shells landed in the Abu Safieyah area east of the city of Jabaliya. The residents added that the shelling was apparently unprovoked.

One Palestinian living in the area told Ma’an, "The shelling caused fear among the residents who live in these agricultural areas that their houses could be hit by these shells."

An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that Israeli soldiers fired mortars at what they believed to be the source of rockets fired into Israeli territory. The military said they were still investigating whether rockets were indeed fired across the border.

Two hurt by Israeli shelling in eastern Gaza

Gaza – Ma'an – Israeli shelling injured several Palestinians east of Gaza City on Friday evening, residents said.

Medics reportedly evacuated two people after the attack near Nahal Oz crossing.

"Ambulances are attempting to reach the injured," an onlooker told Ma'an over the phone, adding that others were hurt.

An Israeli military spokeswoman told Ma'an that soldiers opened fire after they identified someone operating a weapon in the vicinity of the border crossing.

The army was not aware of any injuries, she added.

The Hebrew-language daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported three Palestinians injured.

PCHR weekly report 29/10-4/11: 1 mentaly disabled wounded and abducted, 1 tractor shot

excerpts from PCHR weekly report  No. 43/2009 29 Oct.- 04 Nov. 2009 

Saturday, 31 October 2009 

 At approximately 15:00, IOF positioned inside observation towers on the border strip in the northwest of Beit Lahia, northern the Gaza Strip, fired at Ashraf Saleh Salem Jaber, 40, from ‘Izbat ‘Abed Rabbo in the east of Jabalia town. Jaber was wounded by a bullet to his left foot. Accordign to investigations conducted by PCHR, Jaber was wounded while walking on the beach as he approached the border strip in the northweat of the ex-settlement of Doghit in the northwest of Beit Lahia. His family told PCHR that their son suffers from mental disorder and that he had left the house two days before the incident. After IOF fired at Jaber and wounded him, an IOF undercover unit moved into the scene and transferred Jaber inside Israel. After the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Palestinian Liaison Office managed to make coordination with IOF, Jaber was transferred to Gaza via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing and delivered to a Palestinian ambulance. He was then transferred to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza city where he was diagnosed with severe fractures in his left foot. 

Sunday, 1 November 2009

At approximately 12:00, IOF positioned inside observations towers in Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, north of Beit Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian civilians who were collecting stones from the rubble of the building in the industrial area that had been bulldozed by IOF. IOF also fired a hail of bullets at a tractor belonging to Jaber Younis Mohammed Abu Marshoud, as he was working approximately 150 meters from the border. Abu Marshoud who was driving the tractor escaped from the scene while the tractor was hit by several bullets and has remained in the seen. No casualties were reported in this incident.