Witnesses: Israeli tanks breach south Gaza border

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli tanks and bulldozers entered around 100 meters inside the southern Gaza Strip to level land on Monday, witnesses told Ma'an.

They said several vehicles entered via the Sufa area of the border and dug up land in the al-Nahda area east of Rafah city.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said she was not aware of the incident.

Two minors survive Israeli gunfire east of Gaza valley

[ 24/12/2012 - 10:13 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Two Palestinian kids miraculously survived after their exposure to Israeli military gunfire in the east of Gaza valley, the health ministry in Gaza said. Spokesman for the ministry Ashraf Al-Qudra told the Palestinian information center (PIC) the two kids were in a state of extreme shock and almost fainted because of the severity of the firing they were exposed to. Qudra said that paramedics saved the two 17-year old boys and took them to Shuda'a Al-Aqsa hospital. In a separate incident, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested on Sunday evening two Palestinian citizens south of Gaza. An eyewitness told Quds Press that the IOF arrested the two Gazans after they crossed Kissufim military site to the east of Khan Younis. He added that Israeli warplanes overflew the area following their arrest, noting that they were unarmed. It is still unknown why these two men infiltrated into an Israeli military site, despite their knowledge that they could have been shot dead or arrested.

Official: 5 injured by Israeli fire in Gaza

 

 

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Israeli forces shot and injured five Palestinians on Friday in the northern Gaza Strip, a health ministry spokesman said.

Ashraf al-Qidra said five Palestinians were hospitalized with moderate wounds after being shot near the border with Israel.

Medics told Ma'an a number of injured Palestinians were brought to the Kamal Udwan and al-Awdah hospitals.

An Israeli military spokesman said several Palestinians "approached the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip.

Soldiers acted "according to the rules of engagement," the spokesman told Ma'an, declining to comment on whether or not live fire was used.

Israeli troops have shot at Gazans near the border at least 10 times since the end of an eight-day offensive last month. Some 30 people have been wounded in the incidents, Gaza officials said.

Over 170 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed in last month's offensive. Six Israelis, including two soldiers, were also killed during the war that Israel launched with the declared aim of curbing cross-border rocket fire.

IOF Opens Fire East of Jabaliya, Two Persons Injured

Al Mezan

21-12-2012

At approximately 4:00 pm on Friday 21 December 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a group of young Palestinian men and farmers who were in the agricultural area north of the Cemetery east of Jabaliya, in North Gaza district. As a result, Mazen Kamal Mesleh, 17, sustained a bullet wound in the right leg and Mohammed Ahmed Obied, 21, sustained a bullet wound in the left leg. Medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital described their injuries as moderate.  

IOF Opens Fire North of Beit Lahiya, Child and Two Young Men Injured

Al Mezan

21-12-2012

At approximately 3:30 pm on Friday 21 December 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at Palestinian farmers and a number of young Palestinian men who were in Hamdoush agricultural area north of Beit Lahiya, in North Gaza district. As a result, three persons including a child were injured. Al Mezan has identified them as follows:

• Mohammed Ibrahim Salman, 15, sustained a bullet wound in the left leg;
• Mohammed Mustafa ‘Ashour, 31, sustained bullet wound in the leg; and
• Basel Mohammed Abu Al Qoumasan, 23, sustained a fracture in the left elbow while he was trying to help one of the injured persons. .

Medical sources at Al Awda Hospital described their injuries as moderate. The farmers left their lands afraid of fire.

IOF Uses Live Fire and Tear Gas Canisters against Farmers and Young Palestinian Men East of Jabaliya

Al Mezan

19-12-2012

At approximately 1:30 pm on Wednesday 19 December 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire with live ammunition and launched a number of tear gas canisters at Palestinian farmers and a group of young Palestinian men who were in Abu Safiya area near the eastern separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel east of Jabliya. No casualties or injuries were reported but the farmers were frightened and left the area.

Limited IOF Incursion East of Beit Hanoun

Al Mezan

19-12-2012

At approximately 7:00 am on Wednesday 19 December 2012, four Israeli tanks accompanied by two armored bulldozers moved under sporadic covering fire about 200 meters into the Al Qatbaniya area east of Beit Hanoun. The bulldozers started to build a road that extends from 100 meters to 200 meters in As-Sa’adat and Al Ahmar areas. At approximately 1:40 pm on the same day, the IOF opened fire at a number of volunteers from the Local Initiative who were documenting the Israeli incursion. In the evening hours on the same day, the IOF withdrew from the area. No casualties or injuries were reported.  

Palestinian Dies from Wounds He Sustained During Pillars of Clouds

Al Mezan

19-12-2012

In the morning hours on Wednesday 19 December 2012, medical sources at an Egyptian hospital announced the death of Abdullah Mahmoud ‘Asqoul, 24, from wounds he had sustained during Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip “Pillars of Clouds”.

At approximately 9:45 am on Saturday 17 December 2012, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group of young Palestinian men who were in an agricultural field in Az-Zana area, east of Khan Younis. As a result, Abdullah Mahmoud ‘Asqoul and another person were injured. ‘Asqoul sustained critical injury and was referred to an Egyptian hospital to receive medical treatment. 

Limited IOF Incursion in Khuza’a Village East of Khan Younis

Al Mezan

18-12-2012

At approximately 7:00 am on Tuesday 18 December 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) moved under sporadic covering fire about 100 meters into Khuza’a village east of Khan Younis. At approximately 11:00 am on the same day, the IOF withdrew from the area.

Witnesses: Palestinian shot by forces near Gaza border

 

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A Palestinian man was shot in the chest by Israeli forces near the Gaza border on Sunday, witnesses said.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was not aware of the incident, which took place near al-Qarara town in south Gaza.

Locals told Ma'an a man in his 20s suffered a bullet wound after Israeli forces opened fire near the al-Sureij gate on the border.

Israeli troops have fired several times across the border since a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect in November.

The latest incident was Friday, when Israeli soldiers shot and injured a 19-year-old man east of Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip, medical officials said.

Israel has imposed a no-go zone on the borders, but agreed to stop targeting Palestinians in the area as part of the ceasefire, Gaza's government has said.

IOF Opens Fire at Group of Young Palestinian Men East of Al Qarara Village

Al Mezan

16-12-2012

At approximately 1:20 pm on Sunday 16 December 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a group of young Palestinian men who were near the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel east of Al Qarara village. As a result, Khalid Suliman Abdel Kareem Mhana, 25, sustained bullet wound in the abdomen.  Medical sources at Naser Hospital described his injury as critical where the bullet entered his abdomen and existed from his back.

IOF Opens Fire at Group of Young Palestinian Men East of Khan Younis, One Person Injured

Al Mezan

14-12-2012

At approximately 2:55 pm on Friday 14 December 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a group of young Palestinian men near the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel east of Abasan village. As a result, Mohammed Salah Qdeeh, 22, sustained bullet wound in the hand. Medical sources at Naser Hospital described his injury as moderate.

IOF Uses Live Fire and Tear Gas Canisters against Farmers and Young Palestinian Men East of Jabaliya

Al Mezan

14-12-2012

At approximately 4:00 pm on Friday 14 December 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire with live ammunition and launched a number of tear gas canisters at Palestinian farmers and a group of young Palestinian men who were in Abu Safiya area near the eastern separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel east of Jabliya. As a result two persons were injured. Al Mezan has identified them as follows:

• Mu’men Mohammed Al ‘Abed Nowara, 19, sustained bullet wound in the right leg; and
• Rami Mohammed Abu ‘Ameera, 19, was suffocated by inhaling tear gas.

Medical sources at Al Awda Hospital described the injury of Nowara as moderate and referred him to Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

Israeli soldiers shoot, injure young Gaza man

An Israeli soldier points his gun at Palestinians who reached the fence
in the southern Gaza Strip (Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, File)

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) – A young Palestinian man was shot and injured Friday evening by Israeli soldiers east of Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip, medical officials said.

Gaza paramedics told Ma'an they evacuated a 19-year-old to Al-Awda Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip after he was hit by two live bullets in his feet near Abu Safiyya Hill east of Jabaliya.

They added that Israeli troops fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at Palestinians near the border area. One man suffered from tear-gas inhalation, they said.

An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that "IDF forces acted within the rules of engagement" but said she was unable to elaborate about why the soldiers opened fire.

Israeli troops have fired several times across the border since a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect in November.

The latest incident was Monday, when military vehicles crossed several hundred meters past the border near Khan Younis, but there were no reports of injury.

Israel has imposed a no-go zone on the borders, but agreed to stop targeting Palestinians in the area as part of the ceasefire, Gaza's government has said.

When a Palestinian was killed in the zone by Israeli forces a few days after the ceasefire, Hamas security forces deployed in the area to make sure Palestinians didn't approach the border fence.

Israeli forces fire on Gaza farmers and internationals in Khuza’a [Update: Video Added]

12th December 2012 | International Solidarity Movement, Khuza’a, Besieged Gaza.

Gaza- Israeli forces fired live ammunition and tear gas at unarmed farmers andinternational solidarity activists working in Khuza’a, a small village outside of Khan Younis located near the Israeli border.  At 10:30 AM, the farmers arrived and began to plough approximately 100 meters from the separation fence while internationals lined up in between the border and the farmers. They were quickly met by an Israeli military jeep and transport vehicle. An Israeli soldier issued a warning in Arabic to leave the area and then fired two rounds into the air. The farmers and internationals remained calm and continued their work and the Israeli soldiers left the area.
At around 11 AM, approximately 20 Palestinians and farmers gathered around 300meters back from the fence. Two military jeeps returned to the area.  One soldier exited his vehicle and fired four shots in the direction of the farmers and activists.  The fourth shot crossed the line of the activists and landed in the field being ploughed.  Again, the Palestinians and internationals were not deterred. The Israeli jeeps left and the farmers finished working on this section of land and moved on to an adjacent plot.
Fifteen minutes later, two Israeli jeeps returned, one equipped with an automatic machine gun.  A soldier fired three canisters of tear gas directly in front of the activists.  He proceeded to shoot at the tractor, damaging its engine and bringing the work to a halt.  An international was accompanying the driver aboard the tractor. The accompaniment team included participants from Spain, Italy, France, England, Scotland, Germany and the United States
Gazan farmers successfully ploughed and sowed wheat in adjacent plots, with the presence of internationals, during the two days prior to the incident.  Though they were issued warnings by Israeli forces to stay 100 meters from the fence, they were not fired upon in a similar fashion. “This incident is a prime example of the military harassment and unpredictability of the Israeli occupation forces that farmers routinely face while working their land in Gaza,” said a solidarity activist from Spain.  For a report from the previous days farming, see http://palsolidarity.org/2012/12/gazan-farmers-at-work-in-kuzaa/.
Residents from Khuza’a said they have not planted in this area, declared a closed military zone by Israel, for the past thirteen years.  Formerly an orchard, Israeli forces bulldozed the field multiple times during military incursions and regularly shoots at farmers who attempt to work there.  Farmers were under the impression that this area was now accessible after the November 21st ceasefire’s stipulations that Israeli forces would “refrain from targeting residents in the border areas” and to “stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip land, sea and air including incursions and targeting of individuals.”  This is the optimum season for planting wheat and the Gazan farmers only have a small window of time in which to work before the land will be rendered unusable.


 

Updated on December 13, 2012

Gazan Farmers at Work in Khuza'a

by Joshua Brollier
10 December 2012 | International Solidarity Movement, Besieged Gaza


Today, Gazan farmers from Kuzaa, a small village near Khan Younis, worked on their land in defiance of Israeli military harassment. Farmers ploughed approximately seven dunams and then sowed wheat in a plot that they had previously been denied access to before the November 21st, 2012 ceasefire.  The farmers successfully worked up to 100 meters from the separation fence.  The Israeli military arbitrarily designates this area as a restricted military buffer zone, otherwise known as the “kill zone.” According to the workers, they have not been able to farm on this specific plot of land for the past ten years.  Formerly an orchard, Israeli forces bulldozed the field multiple times during military incursions and regularly shoots at farmers who attempt to work there.
At approximately 8:00 AM, the Palestinian farmers began their morning‘s activities when two Israeli tanks, one military jeep and five bulldozers lined up across from the farmers on the Israeli side of the fence, threatening to fire. Around 9:30 AM, the farmers were joined by a group of 14 solidarity activists from Gaza, Catalonia, Italy, France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany and the United States.  The Israeli forces left after half an hour and were quickly replaced by two more military jeeps.The Palestinians and internationals stood their ground approximately 100 meters from the fence despite multiple Israeli warnings to leave the area. One of the international activists accompanied a Gazan driver aboard his tractor to act as a deterrent to Israeli fire.  Other farmers sowed wheat by hand. The work concluded around 12:30 PM without any fire from Israeli forces.
This was a small,yet very important victory for the farmers, especially as Israel has frequently and unapologetically breached the ceasefire’s stipulations to “refrain from targeting residents in the border areas” and to “stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip land, sea and air including incursions and targeting of individuals.”

Updated on December 14, 2012

IOF Opens Fire at Palestinians Collecting Scrap Northeast of Wadi Gaza, One Person Injured

Al Mezan

13-12-2012

At approximately 12:30 pm on Thursday 13 December 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at the northeast of Wadi Gaza village. As a result, ‘Asef Rasmi Ibrahim Al Khaldi, 19, sustained a bullet wound in the right hand. He was admitted to Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al Balah and then he was referred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza. Al Khaldi was collecting scrap from the solid waste dump when the IOF opened fire at him.

Witnesses: Israeli army vehicles breach Gaza border

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Witnesses said Israeli military vehicles crossed the border into the Gaza Strip near Khan Younis on Monday morning.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said forces were carrying out "routine activity" in the area.

Eyewitnesses told Ma'an the vehicles came several hundred meters into Gaza territory and were scanning the area.

Israel's recent 8-day war on Gaza ended with a ceasefire on Nov. 21, which included a pledge to end incursions into Gaza's territory.

Israel has imposed a 500-meter no-go zone on the borders, but as part of the ceasefire agreed to stop targeting Palestinians in the area, Gaza's government said.

When a Palestinian was killed in the zone by Israeli forces a few days after the ceasefire, Hamas security forces deployed in the area to make sure Palestinians don't approach the border fence.

Medics: Israeli soldiers shoot teenager in central Gaza

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli soldiers shot and injured a Palestinian teenager on Monday near a border fence area of central Gaza, medics said.

Jihad Sawarka, 16, sustained minor injuries in the incident, which took place east of al-Bureij refugee camp. The boy was taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital for treatment.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said that "IDF soldiers acted in accordance with IDF rules of engagement," without providing further details.

Two Palestinians were injured on Saturday by Israeli gunfire near the border fence in eastern Gaza, medics said, with Hamas accusing Israel of violating the Egyptian mediated ceasefire.

Earlier Saturday, Palestinian medics confirmed that a 21-year-old man died after being hit by Israeli gunfire on Friday evening near Rafah.

The Gaza Strip's Hamas government described the death of the man, as well as the Israeli navy's seizure of Palestinian fisherman, as violations of a ceasefire mediated by Cairo to end a surge of cross-border fighting this month.

"We have discussed this with Egyptian officials, so they guarantee a cessation to those violations," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.

Since a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was brokered by Egypt, two Palestinians have been shot dead and at least 40 have been injured. Gaza officials say over 30 fishermen have been detained since the agreement.

=====

Palestinian farmer wounded in IOF shooting

[ 03/12/2012 - 09:28 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- A Palestinian farmer was wounded on Monday after Israeli occupation forces (IOF) fired at him while working in his land to the east of Breij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. Medical sources described the condition of the farmer as moderate after he was taken to a hospital in nearby Deir Al-Balah city. Two Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in the IOF shooting at Palestinian civilians after the calm agreement went into effect almost two weeks ago. ---  Al Mezan 3-12-2012 IOF Opens Fire Northeast of Al Bureij Refugee Camp, One Person Injured At approximately 11:15 am on Monday 3 December 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) positioned at the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel northeast of Al Bureij refugee camp. As a result, Jihad Mesbah As-Sawarka, 16, sustained a bullet wound in the left leg while he was 400 meters away from the fence. Medical sources at Al Aqsa Hospital described his injury as moderate.

Israel Is Dangerously Breaking the Ceasefire

Free Gaza

The report below is from Maria del mar Ferndandez, one of the board members of Free Gaza. She will remain in Gaza until the end of the year and will make periodic reports to us. Contact her at 00 972 (0) 595 157 194
Gaza City, December 3, 2012: In the last 4 days, Israelis have arrested 31 fishermen, destroyed a boat, kept another one they say for three years, distroyed 4 motors of the boats. They say also that Israelis are not shooting any more water cannons but real fire, and when they arrest Palestinians, one of their main interests in interrogations is to get information about internationals.

Most of the fishermen in the fishermen's union and another fishing association decided the day before yesterday not to go out to the sea, because they cannot bear that more fishermen are arrested and the boats badly damaged. There is still one fisherman kept in prison. The decision was also to wait for the next ten days so that conversations in Cairo about the ceasefire are completed in order to be sure of the 6 miles nautical miles. Most of the information is published by PCHR in Gaza.

On Wednesday, December 5,  fishermen and internationals will demonstrate at the harbour, and we have been asked to bring the flags of our own countries to make visible our support and to spread the news as much as possible.

Yesterday, some fishermen dared to go out fishing, because they said they preferred to be dead rather than stop bringing food for their families.

As for the farmers, they have been shot at in Beit Lahya where we wisited one of the families, and also yesterday Israelis were shooting at farmers and internationals in the buffer zone of Khan Younis. That's why Rosa, the Italian international here, asked most of us today to go to support them. But in the early morning they phoned that there was heavy shooting (real fire of course) and they could not go to their lands in these conditions, even accompanied by internationals. So, some of them have gone just to interview the farmers.

The statement for the European parliamentaries and to the world should be that Israel is breaking dangerously the ceasefire as people cannot bear this situation of being denied their most elemental rights to life, and security.

Two people have been dead since the "ceasefire", one in the South, and one in the North with an unexploded bomb of the last attack.

IOF Opens Fire Northeast of Wadi As-Salqa Village, Three Persons Injured

Al Mezan

1-12-2012

At approximately 11:00 pm on Saturday 1 December 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a group of Palestinian civilians as they were in the vicinity of their homes about one kilometer away from the separation fence  between Gaza Strip and Israel northeast of Wadi As-Salqa village. As a result, three persons were injured. Al Mezan has identified them as follows:

• Rabah Ahmed Khammash, 27;
• His brother Jihad, 23; and
• Ahmed Naief Al Louh, 25.

They were admitted to Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al Balah. Jihad Al Khamash was referred to An-Naser Hospital in Gaza City and his brother was referred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

Medics: Israeli gunfire injures 2 in Gaza

 

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Two Palestinians were injured on Saturday by Israeli gunfire near the border fence in eastern Gaza, medics said, as Hamas accused Israel of violating the Egyptian mediated ceasefire.

Both men were taken to hospital in northern Gaza after the incident, the sixth of its kind since a truce was agreed to end eight days of violence between Israel and Hamas.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said "a few Palestinian rioters approached the security fence and in order to distance them soldiers acted in accordance with IDF rules of engagement."

Hamas accused Israel on Saturday of violating the shaky, Egyptian-brokered Gaza truce of Nov. 21 after a young Palestinian man died late Friday of wounds he sustained hours earlier by Israeli gunfire east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Palestinian medics confirmed Saturday that 21-year-old Mahmoud Jaroun was hit by a gunshot to the pelvis Friday evening, and was evacuated to Abu Yousif An-Najjar Hospital in Rafah before medics announced his death around midnight.

On Friday, 11 Palestinians sustained wounds by Israeli fire along the borders between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

The Gaza Strip's Hamas government described the death of Jaroun, as well as the Israeli navy's seizure of Palestinian fisherman, as violations of a ceasefire mediated by Cairo to end a surge of cross-border fighting this month.

"We have discussed this with Egyptian officials, so they guarantee a cessation to those violations," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.

Since a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was brokered by Egypt, two Palestinians have been shot dead and at least 40 have been injured. Gaza officials say over 30 fishermen have been detained since the agreement.

Abu Zuhri's remarks did not indicate that the government wants to abandon the ceasefire. The eight days of fighting this month killed at least 170 Palestinians, injuring over 1,000.

Six Israeli were also killed in the violence.

Islamic Jihad also condemned the violations, with its military wing releasing a statement saying that "continued and so flagrant (Israeli) violations would put the calm at risk and push resistance factions to respond in a way they deem suitable."

Increased Palestinian access to the Gaza fence and to fishing waters heavily patrolled by Israel were among conditions lodged by Hamas and other armed factions in the Cairo talks.

Gaza man dies after being shot by Israeli troops in Rafah

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) – A young Palestinian man died late Friday of wounds he sustained hours earlier by Israeli gunfire east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Palestinian medics confirmed Saturday that 21-year-old Mahmoud Jaroun was hit by a gunshot to the pelvis Friday evening, and was evacuated to Abu Yousif An-Najjar Hospital in Rafah before medics announced his death around midnight.

On Friday, 11 Palestinians sustained wounds by Israeli fire along the borders between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Asked about Friday's shootings, an Israeli military spokeswoman said Palestinians had come up to the fence to vandalize it. Soldiers warned them away, and when that did not deter them, shot at their legs, she said.

Palestinians described the incident as a demonstration, saying that six people were wounded by the Israeli gunfire.

Since a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was brokered by Egypt, Israeli forces have breached it several times firing at farmers near the border.

Two Palestinians have been shot dead so far and about 40 have been injured.

The Israeli navy has also detained dozens of Gaza fishermen, although Israel agreed to allow Gaza fishermen to go six nautical miles off the coast instead of three.

IOF Opens Fire Northeast of Al Bureij Refugee Camp, Four Persons Injured

Al Mezan

30-11-2012

At approximately 4:10 pm on Friday 30 November 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a group of Palestinians who gathered near the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel northeast of Al Bureij Refugee camp. As a result, four persons were injured. Al Mezan has identified them as follows:

• Hasan Hammad Ad-Deri, 39;
• Ahmed Abdel Qader Abu Jalal, 22;
• Mohammed Ahmed Al ‘Awawda, 27; and
• Mohammed Asa’ad Al Burdini, 23.

They sustained bullet wounds in the lower part of their bodies and they were admitted to Al Aqsa Hospital to receive medical treatment.

Eight Palestinian citizens wounded in IOF shooting

[ 29/11/2012 - 09:50 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) fired at Palestinian citizens who went to check out on their land to the east of Maghazi and Breij refugee camps in central Gaza Strip on Wednesday evening. Medical sources told the PIC reporter that dozens of Palestinians were inspecting their land in the buffer zone that was annulled in the last calm agreement between Israel and the resistance factions. They said that the IOF shooting at them wounded seven persons who were evacuated to hospital where their conditions were described as moderate. Meanwhile, an eighth Palestinian was moderately wounded at the hands of IOF soldiers stationed at the Soufa military position. A Palestinian man was killed and more than 30 others injured in similar incidents since last Thursday.

Medics: 1 hurt by Israeli fire near Jabaliya

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Israeli forces opened fire and injured a Palestinian man east of Jabaliya on Thursday, medics said.

Wahid al-Fasis, 20, was shot in the Tal Abu Safayeh area and transferred to Awdeh hospital, medics said.

An Israeli army spokesman did not immediately return calls.

Earlier Israeli military vehicles crossed near the al-Qarara town northeast of Khan Younis on Thursday in a new breach of the Gaza ceasefire, a Ma’an reporter said.

Two military bulldozers crossed 200 meters inside agriculture lands but did not open fire.

An army spokesman confirmed "routine IDF activity" in the area.

On Wednesday Israeli forces shot and injured seven Palestinians near the border in the central Gaza Strip, medics said.

Seven people were shot at east of al-Maghazi and al-Bureij refugee camps and transferred to the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. One man sustained serious injuries, medical officials told Ma'an.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said "rioters" damaged the border fence and tried to enter Israel. She said soldiers acted to distance them "according to the rules of engagement" which can include opening fire.

Earlier, 27-year-old Hassan Ahmad Nseir was shot by Israeli forces near Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip while collecting iron and gravel, medics told Ma'an.

Israel had barred Palestinians from coming within hundreds of meters of the border, but agreed to ease curbs on Gaza in a ceasefire reached Nov. 21 to end its eight-day war on the enclave.

Limited Israeli incursion near Khan Younis

 

 

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Israeli military vehicles crossed near the al-Qarara town northeast of Khan Younis on Thursday in a new breach of the Gaza ceasefire, a Ma’an reporter said.

Two military bulldozers crossed 200 meters inside agriculture lands but did not open fire.

On Wednesday Israeli forces shot and injured seven Palestinians near the border in the central Gaza Strip, medics said.

Seven people were shot at east of al-Maghazi and al-Bureij refugee camps and transferred to the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. One man sustained serious injuries, medical officials told Ma'an.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said "rioters" damaged the border fence and tried to enter Israel. She said soldiers acted to distance them "according to the rules of engagement" which can include opening fire.

Earlier, 27-year-old Hassan Ahmad Nseir was shot by Israeli forces near Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip while collecting iron and gravel, medics told Ma'an.

Israel had barred Palestinians from coming within hundreds of meters of the border, but agreed to ease curbs on Gaza in a ceasefire reached Nov. 21 to end its eight-day war on the enclave.

Gaza: Citizens remove the border fence in the Bureij and Johr al-Dik

[ 27/11/2012 - 04:26 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Dozens of Palestinian citizens managed on Monday to remove the border fence set up by the occupation east of Johr al-Dik town and the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Eyewitnesses told Quds Press that dozens of Palestinian civilians, who have arrived to their agricultural fields east of the town of Johr al-Dik and Bureij refugee camp, managed to remove the border fence separating the Gaza Strip and the occupied territories in 1948. The sources added that the Israeli soldiers opened fire in the air to disperse the crowd. It is noted that the truce agreement between the Palestinian resistance and the occupation under Egyptian mediation on Wednesday allowed the Palestinians to have access to their lands along the border fence, where they were banned by the occupation forces to reach their agriculture lands for long years where the occupation was imposing a buffer zone of ​​300 meters inside the Gaza strip.

IOF Shooting a Young Palestinian in Khan Younis Nov. 22nd Ceasefire Breached

Palestine complains to UN after Israel violates Gaza ceasefire

 

 

JERUSALEM (Ma’an) – Palestine's UN observer has submitted a complaint to the UN Security Council after Israeli forces violated the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip on Friday.

Ambassador Riyad Mansour told reporters he filed a complaint after Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian man and injured 19 others Friday morning east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip near the borders between Israel and the coastal enclave.

Medical officials on Friday confirmed that 20-year-old Anwar Abdul Hadi Qudaih, was shot dead east of Khan Younis, and 19 others sustained wounds.

Witnesses said a group of Palestinian farmers were preparing to perform prayers in their fields near the border in the southern Gaza Strip before Israeli soldiers opened fire at them.

The Palestinian Authority’s minister of foreign affairs Riyad al-Maliki described the shooting Friday during a meeting with his Italian counterpart as violation of the ceasefire.

On Thursday medics said four Palestinians were wounded by Israeli fire near the fence. An army spokesman said 200 Palestinians approached the fence and "began rioting" before causing damage to the fence.

Wednesday's ceasefire deal ended eight days of fierce fighting that left over 170 Palestinians and six Israelis dead.

According to the terms of the accord, both Israelis and Palestinians agreed to stop their hostilities. However, the brief document left details on access to the tense border zone to be worked out in the days ahead.

Medics: Man killed by Israeli fire near Gaza border

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces killed a 20-year-old Palestinian man near the Israeli border in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday morning, medical officials said.

Medics said Anwar Abdul Hadi Qudaih, 20, was hit in the head with a live bullet east of Khan Younis.

Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said 19 others were wounded by Israeli fire in the border area.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri accused Israel of violating the Egypt-mediated truce and said the group would complain to Cairo. "We will contact the Egyptian mediator to discuss the incident," he said.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said the army was checking reports of the incident.

Witnesses told Ma'an a group of citizens were gathering to perform Friday prayer on their land near the border.

A relative of the dead man, who was at the scene, told Reuters that Qudaih had been trying to place a Hamas flag on the fence. He added that an Israeli soldier had fired into the air three times before Qdeih was hit in the head by a bullet.

Medics said four Palestinians were wounded by Israeli fire on Thursday near the fence. An army spokesman said 200 Palestinians approached the fence and "began rioting" before causing damage to the fence.

Wednesday's ceasefire deal ended eight days of fierce fighting that left some 170 Palestinians and six Israelis dead.

According to the terms of the accord, both Israelis and Palestinians agreed to stop their hostilities. However, the brief document left details on access to the tense border zone to be worked out in the days ahead.

Reuters contributed to this report

Medics: Israeli gunfire injures Palestinian in Gaza

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian man east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip late Thursday after he approached a fence on the border, medics said.

The incident occurred less than 24 hours since the start of a truce negotiated by Egypt between Israel and Hamas to end eight days of deadly airstrikes on the territory.

Haitham Abu Daqqa, 23, had approached the fence with a group of people carrying flags and celebrating the end of the conflict as Palestinians rallied for a second day.

The Israeli army described the demonstration as a riot.

An army spokesman said 200 Palestinians approached the fence and "began rioting" before causing damage to the fence. He said soldiers attempted to disperse the demonstrators without violence.

"In accordance with the rules of engagement, soldiers fired warning shots in the air," he told Ma'an.

Israel and Hamas agreed to stop attacks on each other's territory late Wednesday after eight days of airstrikes that killed some 170 Palestinians across Gaza.

The ceasefire was seen locally as a victory over Israel, which had threatened a ground operation but backed down after armed groups fired rockets as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Full text: Ceasefire agreement between Israel and Gaza

Ma'an

CAIRO (Reuters) -- Following is the verbatim English text of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza that was reached Wednesday with Egyptian mediation.

The text was distributed by the Egyptian presidency.

--

Agreement of Understanding For a Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

1: (no title given for this section)

A. Israel should stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip land, sea and air including incursions and targeting of individuals.

B. All Palestinian factions shall stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel including rocket attacks and all attacks along the border.

C. Opening the crossings and facilitating the movements of people and transfer of goods and refraining from restricting residents' free movements and targeting residents in border areas and procedures of implementation shall be dealt with after 24 hours from the start of the ceasefire.

D. Other matters as may be requested shall be addressed.

2: Implementation mechanisms:

A. Setting up the zero hour for the ceasefire understanding to enter into effect.

B. Egypt shall receive assurances from each party that the party commits to what was agreed upon.

C. Each party shall commit itself not to perform any acts that would breach this understanding. In case of any observations Egypt as the sponsor of this understanding shall be informed to follow up.

Israeli tank shells kill 4, wound 30 in Gaza

A wounded man is carried into a hospital in Gaza City following
Israeli shelling November 10, 2012. (Reuters/Mohammed Salem)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli tank shells killed 4 Palestinians and wounded 30 in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, medics and witnesses said.

Ahmad al-Dardasawi, 18, and Muhammad Hararah, 17, were killed in Gaza City, and two unidentified men later died from injuries sustained in the attack.

At least 26 people were wounded in the shelling, with 10 said to be in a serious condition.

Residents said a crowded mourning tent in the al-Shujaiyeh neighborhood near Gaza City was full of people paying respects to a bereaved family man when a shell struck.

Four people were also wounded in Khan Younis as Israel's army targeted an area east of city, witnesses said.

"The occupation's targeting of civilians was a grave escalation that must not pass in silence," said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum.

"Resistance must be reinforced in order to block the aggression."

The casualty toll is one of the highest in a single incident in Gaza in recent months.

Israel's army said four soldiers were injured when an "anti-tank missile was fired at an IDF patrol along the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip."

Two soldiers were seriously wounded and two moderately injured, Israeli media said.

Israeli forces targeted several sites in response, the statement added.

The Popular Resistance Committees said it had fired four rockets at communities close to the border and the towns of Sderot and Netivot in southern Israel, in what it called "the revenge invoice" for the deaths in Gaza.

The attacks took place during a period of increased violence along the Israel-Gaza border.

Hamid Younis Abu Daqqa, 13, was killed on Thursday after Israeli forces targeted houses and farms east of Khan Younis, according to Ashraf al-Qidra, a medical spokesman in Gaza.

On Tuesday, three Israeli soldiers were wounded by an explosive device in the southern Gaza Strip, Israel's army said.

A day earlier, Israeli soldiers shot and killed a 20-year-old Palestinian man who approached a fence near Gaza's border with Israel, medics said.

Reuters contributed to this report

----------

Medics: Israeli fire kills boy in south Gaza

An Israeli tank patrols just outside the border with the northern
Gaza Strip Oct. 24, 2012. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- A 13-year-old Palestinian boy died Thursday in southern Gaza, in a shooting medical officials blamed on the Israeli military.

Hamid Younis Abu Daqqa died after Israeli forces targeted houses and farms east of Khan Younis, according to Ashraf al-Qidra, a medical spokesman in Gaza.

Medics said the boy was hit by machine gun fire, either from Israeli helicopters or tanks that took part in the incident.

Israeli military vehicles briefly penetrated the southern Gaza Strip earlier Thursday morning, leading to clashes with Palestinian militants.

The Popular Resistance Committees said its gunmen had confronted an Israeli force of four tanks and a bulldozer involved in a short-range incursion beyond Israel's border fence with the Gaza Strip.

"Terrorists opened fire at IDF (Israeli army) soldiers while they were performing routine activity adjacent to the security fence," an Israeli military spokeswoman said in Jerusalem. She said reports of Palestinians injuries were being checked.

A military official said the soldiers responded by firing at "suspicious locations" and said an Israeli soldier was lightly injured by mortar fire.

Palestinian fighters said they detonated an explosive device by an Israeli military vehicle near Khuzaa, east of Khan Younis.

Witnesses said Israeli forces fired a shell at Palestinian farmers. A Ma'an reporter said intensive gunfire could be heard in the area.

Earlier a military spokeswoman said Israeli troops came under fire during "routine activity" in the area, and returned fire in the direction of the suspects.

No injuries were reported in that incident.

Also Thursday, a Palestinian man was wounded when a home-made bomb exploded in central Gaza, a medical official said.

Al-Qidra, the Gaza ministry of health spokesman, said that a 23-year-old was moderately wounded in al-Maghazi refugee camp. He was transferred to al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Soldiers shoot dead 20-year-old man near Gaza border

Published today (updated) 05/11/2012 10:36

Medics had to wait around six hours for permission to pick him up from
the spot near al-Bureij refugee camp. (MaanImages/File)

GAZA (Reuters) -- Israeli soldiers shot and killed a 20-year-old Palestinian man who approached a fence near Gaza's border with Israel, medics said on Monday.

An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed the shooting took place after darkness fell on Sunday, saying troops opened warning shots when a man walking in a riverbed failed to heed orders to leave the buffer area.

Palestinian medics said the victim, Ahmad al-Nabaheen, was unarmed and mentally unfit.

Medics had to wait around six hours for permission to pick him up from the spot near al-Bureij refugee camp. They suspected he died of injuries for which he might have been treated.

The Israeli spokeswoman could not confirm that information or say whether or not the victim was armed, saying more details about the case may become clearer later on Monday.

On Friday, a Palestinian man was seriously wounded after Israeli artillery fired several shells in the same border area. The army said it had suspected he was planting an explosive device, but no explosion ensued.

A week before, an Israeli officer had been severely injured when a bomb went off beside an army patrol in the border zone.

Ma'an staff contributed to this report

Palestinian man seriously wounded in IOF shelling

[ 03/11/2012 - 08:04 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--  A Palestinian citizen was seriously injured on Friday in Israeli shelling of areas east to Breij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, medical sources said. Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra, the health ministry’s spokesman, said in a press release that the 22-year-old youth was seriously wounded when an Israeli tank shell blasted near him. He said that the young man suffered wounds in his neck, face, and chest and was being treated in Shuhada al-Aqsa hospital. Qudra said that Israeli occupation forces’ tanks shelled cultivated land lots to the east of the refugee camp. ----------- Palestinian seriously wounded by Israeli fire on central Gaza Published Friday 02/11/2012 (updated) 03/11/2012 19:47   GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- A 22-year-old Palestinian was seriously wounded on Friday morning by Israeli tank fire on the central Gaza Strip, medics said. Witnesses said Israeli artillery fired several shells on a group of farmers east of Al-Bureij refugee camp. Ministry of health spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said a young man was brought to al-Aqsa hospital with serious wounds to the neck and chest. An Israeli military spokeswoman said forces fired on "a suspect apparently placing an explosive device." She said no explosion had ensued, but noted that an Israeli soldier had been wounded by explosives in the same area two weeks ago.

Gaza Farmers and Fishers Find Canadian Support

In Gaza

Mohammed Al-Bakri from Gaza’s Union of Agricultural Work Committees points out the “no-go” zones for Palestinian fishers and farmers.

Gaza City, IPS- By Eva Bartlett (blog version longer than original published)
“From the coast to eight miles out, the sea is like a desert: it’s sandy and there are no fish.” Mohammed Al-Bakri traces a thick line on the wall map before him, following the lines of Gaza’s eastern and northern borders, continuing south from three miles off the coast.



General manager of Gaza’s Union of Agricultural Work Committees, Bakri is well-versed in the woes of the Strip’s fishers and farmers. He explains the insufficient fishing waters Palestinians are limited to, and the consequences of being on the sea at all.
“The Israeli navy attacks the fishermen, arrests them and takes their boats, even within three miles,” he says, referring to the three-mile limit the Israeli authorities have unilaterally imposed on Palestinian fishers.
Under the Oslo accords, Palestinian fishers are authorised to fish 20 nautical miles into Gaza’s sea. The Israeli authorities have illegally downsized Palestinian fishing waters, using lethal violence to enforce new fishing limitations. On a given day, Palestinian fishers are subject to Israeli navy machine gun fire, shelling, water cannoning, and abductions.
“When the fishers are arrested, they just have a boat and a net,” says Bakri. “No weapons, they are just trying to catch to sell at the market, to earn money for their families.
On August 28, the Israeli navy arrested two fishermen: a 60 year old man and his 16 year old son, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) reports.
Bakri says were less than one mile off Gaza’s coast. “The boat was engine-less, they wouldn’t go more than 3 miles in it.”
Testimony given to PCHR confirms this, the abducted fishers stating “when we were nearly 300 meters off al-Waha Resort, two Israeli gunboats arrived and circled my fishing boat.”
Following intensive shooting around their boat, the fishers were ordered to remove their clothes and swim to the Israeli gunboat, a practice that the majority of abducted Palestinian fishers say they are subject to.
“More than 500 fishers have been arrested and at least 12 killed by the Israeli navy,” says Mohammed Al-Bakri.
A July 2012 report by the Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights, covering the period from January 2011 to April 2012, recounts offenses the Israeli navy committed, including the abduction of at least 60 fishers, the shooting and injuring of at least 12 fishers, more than 13 fisher’s boats taken, and the intentional damage of fisher’s nets and equipment.
With over 3,600 fishermen and 70,000 people dependent on income from the sea, Gaza’s fishing has been decimated by such Israeli tactics and policies. “When there is no income, fishers must depend on food aid from the United Nations (UN),” says Bakri. “But there are a lot of other needs, like housing, clothing, medical care, education.”

A fishing trawler roughly 500m off Gaza’s coast. 

Most fishers say there are virtually no fish before at least 6 to 8 miles out.

“If the situation continues like this, we won’t see any fishers on the sea in the future.”
Nor farmers.
Bakri refers back to the red line on the UN map of Gaza marked ‘Areas restricted for Palestinian access’. Imposed unilaterally by Israeli authorities, the “buffer zone” officially bans Palestinian farmers and civilians from the 300 metres of land flanking Gaza’s eastern and northern borders.
In reality, the UN, international NGOs, and Palestinian organisations have documented Israeli soldiers’ targeting of Palestinians even as far as nearly two kilometres from the border.
“Shooting at people accessing restricted areas is often carried out from remotely-controlled weapon stations…every several hundred metres along the fence, each containing machine guns protected by retractable armoured covers, whose fire can reach targets up to 1.5 km,” reads a 2010 UN report.
Via machine gun fire, shelling, flechette (dart) bombs, drone attacks, land razing and setting crops on fire, the Israeli army has rendered one-third of Gaza’s agricultural land deadly and inaccessible.
Palestinian farmers continue to face Israeli attacks as they attempt to farm their land, for the majority their sole source of income and food for their families.
“We need political support internationally, to pressure Israel into allowing farmers to work their land and fishers to access their sea,” says Bakri.
Heeding his call, and hoping to build “connections of mutual solidarity between Canada and Palestinian farmers and fishers,” a Vancouver-based group aims to broaden political support via their Sep. 30 ‘Day of Action For the Fishers and Farmers of Gaza, Palestine’.
“This particular aspect of the siege is quite compelling because when a society is deprived of the ability to fish and to farm, it is deprived of its ability to sustain itself. It’s part of the ongoing Nakba, and part of the ethnic cleansing of Palestine,” says Charlotte Kates, a lawyer and one of the Day of Action coordinators.
Kates and a delegation traveled to the Gaza Strip earlier this year, meeting with Palestinian fishers and farmers.
“We want to make it clear what is happening at the hands of the occupation, and how it is denying people’s right to live, to exist,” Kates says. “One of our translators could not attend our meetings: a cousin, in the ‘buffer zone’ had been murdered the same day by the Israeli military.”
Noting the close alliance of the Canadian government with Israel, Kates says “the government of (Canadian prime minister) Stephen Harper has nothing but praise for the Israeli state that enforces this siege on Gaza. On March 29, 2006, Canada became the first country in the world to impose a siege on the Palestinian people living in Gaza and the West Bank, declaring cancellation of aid to Palestine.”
Building cross-Canada and international alliances with Palestinian farmers, fishers and civil society is the Vancouver group’s focus with its Day of Action. No less important is changing Canadian policies regarding the siege of the Gaza Strip.
“We want to build a movement that can challenge the Canadian government on these policies, policies which predate the Harper government,” Kates says.
Canada is not alone in endorsing the illegal siege on Gaza – what Desmond Tutu and UN special rapporteurs John Dugard and Richard Falk, among many others, have called collective punishment.
“Last month, the European Union decided to increase their support with Israel,” says Mohammed Al-Bakri.
The Sep. 30 Day of Action will take place in cities across Canada, with “rallies, vigils, the launching of the book ‘Freedom Sailors’, and leafletting,” says Charlotte Kates.
The day of solidarity with Palestinian farmers and fishers has the backing of, among others, Independent Jewish Voices, the Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG), and former Vancouver city councillor Tim Louis.
“The UN is quite aware of the inhuman condition that Palestinians are subjected to and yet there is no concrete action, except allowing humanitarian aid,” says Louis, calling for “the Canadian government stop its indiscriminate support for Israel until such a time when Israel complies with international law.”

see also:

Doors to the Sea: Gaza’s Fishers Under Siege (video)
Staying: Palestinian Fishers and Farmers in Gaza (video)
fishing under fire
farming under fire
articles from the “buffer zone”

Witnesses: Israeli forces fire artillery shells near Gaza

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces fired artillery shells near an area of central Gaza on Wednesday, witnesses said.

Explosions were heard near the Wadi Gaza area in the central Gaza Strip, with no injuries reported, spokesman of the ministry of health in Gaza Ashraf al-Qudra said.

An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an there had been no military activity in the area.

Staying: Palestinian Fishers and Farmers in Gaza

This film, produced by the Union of Agricultural Work Committees in Palestine, looks at the impact of Israeli siege on Palestinian fishers and farmers in Gaza, and the fishers' and farmers' steadfastness and resistance on their land and the Gaza sea.

IOF raids eastern Rafah, clashes with resistance in Shijaia

[ 17/08/2012 - 03:27 PM ] 

GAZA, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) raided areas east of Rafah to the southernmost area of the Gaza Strip on Friday for the second time in less than 24 hours.
Local sources told PIC reporter that eight Israeli military vehicles raided the Shoka area eastern Rafah.
The sources said that the invading forces opened indiscriminate fire at nearby residential areas.
Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance fighters engaged an Israeli special unit that tried to sneak into the vicinity of the industrial area east of Shijaia neighborhood eastern Gaza City late last night.

IOF soldiers raid eastern Rafah

RAFAH, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) raided areas east of Rafah to the southernmost area of the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers mounting three armored vehicles escorted four huge military bulldozers to the Shoka area.

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

Witnesses: Israeli forces fire on eastern Gaza

Published yesterday (updated) 16/08/2012 19:42

Residents heard heavy gunfire but no injuries were reported.
(MaanImages/File)

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli military vehicles crossed into the Gaza Strip east of Rafah on Thursday, as residents heard heavy gunfire but no injuries were reported.

Three tanks and four bulldozers crossed near the al-Nahda neighborhood east of al-Shouka, witnesses said. They said forces fired guns and launched smoke bombs.

A Palestinian militant escaped the area amid heavy shooting, witnesses said. His motorcycle was burned.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said there was no army activity in the area.

On Wednesday, explosions shook a southern Israeli city near Egypt. Israel's military suspected a cross-border rocket attack though searches have thus far turned up no evidence.

Palestinian Farmer Shot Twice by Israeli Military near Buffer Zone

 Al Haq

During the past week, Al-Haq documented the case of a 18-year-old Palestinian youth who was shot by the Israeli army while he was working approximately 600 metres from the border with Israel. This case is the most recent in a long series of incidents involving farmers who were targeted by the Israeli army while working in proximity to the buffer zone.

The buffer zone is a no-go area extending along the Gaza Strip’s border with Israel as well as at sea. This area has been enlarged over the years by the Israeli authorities without properly informing the occupied Palestinian population about its extension, and its current size and depth remain uncertain due to the fact that they are not physically demarcated. At present, it is estimated that the buffer zone restricts access to land up to 1,500 metres from the Israeli border. This area also extends over 17% of the territory of the Gaza Strip, including 35% of its total agricultural land, severely weakening the potential for economic and agricultural development in the Gaza Strip.

Muhammad Sidqi al-Qarra (18 years old)

Muhammad lives in the al-Zannah area, Bani Suhayla, east of Khan Younes, approximately two kilometres from the border with Israel. On 11 August 2012, at 5.15 am, he went to the family-owned farm with his older brother Ahmad and two cousins to help gather tomatoes and zucchini. The farm extends over 30 dunums and is some 600 meters from the border.

When Muhammad and his relatives arrived at the land, they saw other farmers working in the neighbouring farm. At around 5.40 am, while Muhammad was collecting some empty buckets to gather the crops, he saw an Israeli military jeep moving on the other side of the border. A few moments later, Muhammad heard gunshots coming from beyond the border, specifically from the place where the jeep had stopped.

At that point, Muhammad realised he had been hit and he fell to the ground. He started shouting and his relatives, along with the farmers from the neighbouring property, brought Muhammad to a car and drove him to the school ‘Abasan al-Jadida, two kilometres from the scene of the incident. There, an ambulance of the Palestinian Ministry of Health arrived and took him to the European Gaza Hospital. At the hospital, Muhammad was informed that he had sustained injuries caused by two live bullets in his left elbow and right thigh. Muhammad was operated upon and is still receiving medical treatment at the hospital. He was informed that he would require further surgery on his elbow. (Al-Haq Affidavit No. 7625/2012)

Besides farmers, fishermen and rubble-collectors are also affected by the buffer zone restrictions and systematically targeted by the Israeli forces. According to Al-Mezan’s documentation, since the beginning of 2012 the Israeli army’s shelling and live fire in the buffer zone on land resulted in the killing of 19 persons, including 3 children, and the wounding of 87 people. In addition, the Israeli army has arrested 18 persons in the maritime buffer zone and seized 12 boats.

Al-Haq expresses its grave concern about the continuous restrictions imposed on the Gaza Strip’s population and firmly condemns the unnecessary and disproportionate use of lethal force by the Israeli army against civilians.

For more information see Al-Haq’s Report: Shifting Paradigms - Israel’s Enforcement of the Buffer Zone in the Gaza Strip and Al-Haq’s Virtual Field Visit and Interactive Map of the Buffer Zone.

-Ends-

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

Medical official: Farmer shot by soldiers in Gaza

Published Saturday 11/08/2012 (updated) 12/08/2012 20:02

A man was shot while tending his land along the Gaza border on
Saturday, a medical spokesman said. (MaanImages/File)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A young man was injured by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, a medical official said.

Spokesman for the ministry of health in Gaza Ashraf al-Qidrah told Ma'an that a man was shot in his right hand by Israeli soldiers stationed in a watchtower along the Gaza border.

The man was tending his land, east of Khan Younis, and sustained moderate wounds, al-Qidrah said.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was unfamiliar with the incident.

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

Israeli snipers injure young farmer with live fire in Gaza

13-08-2012,10:29

Al Qassam (Agencies)- Gaza-In the northern part of the Gaza Strip Saturday, Israeli snipers stationed in a guard tower at the border shot and injured a farmer who was tending his land and allegedly got too close to the 'no man's land' established by Israeli troops.

The 'no man's land' is a wide stretch of land in the crowded Gaza Strip that stretches up to 300 meters from the border fence, and encompasses a lot of Palestinian farmland. Palestinians who enter the area are subject to be shot without warning by Israeli troops stationed along the border.

According to the Gazan Health Minister Ashraf al-Qidrah, the as-yet unidentified young man was shot in his right hand and taken to a nearby hospital.

Palestinian officials have long called on Israel to stop shooting Palestinian farmers along the border, and consider the 'no man's land' to be an infringement on their sovereignty. In the past, children, mentally-disabled adults and dozens of farmers have been shot and killed in this zone.

Attacks in the “bufferzone” and their consequences

PCHR

Tuesday, 17 July 2012 00:00

Fact Sheet June 2012 Following disengagement from the Gaza Strip in September 2005, Israel has unilaterally and illegally established a so-called “buffer zone”, an area prohibited to Palestinians along the land and sea borders of the Gaza Strip. The precise area designated by Israel as a “buffer zone” is unknown and Israeli policy is typically enforced with live fire. The establishment of the ‘buffer zone’ is illegal under both Israeli and international law.   Preventing Palestinians from access to their land, and fishing areas, violates numerous provisions of international human rights law, including the right to work, the right to the highest attainable standard of living, and the right to the highest attainable standard of health. Enforcing the “buffer zone” by means of live fire often results in, inter alia, the war crimes of direct targeting of civilians and indiscriminate attacks.                                                                                                                                  Dimensions On land: inside Palestinian territory: · Second Intifada (2000): 150 metres · According to Israel (2010) :  300 metres · In reality: Minimum: 300 metres to approximately 2 kilometres · Approximately 17% of the total territory of the Gaza Strip At sea, area off coast for Palestinian fishing: · Oslo Accords (1994): 20 nautical miles (NM) · Bertini Commitment (2002): 12 NM · October 2006: 6 NM · End of 2007 : 3 NM · 1.5 NM in the north along the maritime boundary with Israel · 1 NM in the south along the maritime boundary with Egypt Impact On Land: · Approximately 27,000 dunums, 35% of the Gaza Strip's agricultural land can only be accessed under high personal risk, as Israeli attacks may result in injury or death of civilians. · 95% of the restricted area is arable land · After the evacuation of settlements (2005) and Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009) the majority of Palestinians families abandoned their land and houses. At Sea: · Palestinians are totally prevented from accessing 85% of the maritime areas in reference to 1994 Gaza Jericho Agreement. · Approximately 3,700 fishermen expose themselves to high risk every day at sea. · Approximately 8,200 persons are working in fishing industry. · Approximately 65,000 persons, including individuals in the fishing industry and their dependents are affected by the “buffer zone” restrictions at sea. · The area near the coast is markedly over-fished. Attacks June 2012 Attacks Total Within Land “buffer zone” Within Maritime “buffer zone” Shelling 10 10 0 Shooting 34 11 23 Incursions 28 5 23 Land leveling 4 4 0 Total of incident 76 30 46 Consequences of attacks a. Deaths and Injuries June 2012 CONSEQUENCES Total Within Land “buffer zone” Within Maritime “buffer zone” Deaths of Persons 9 9 0 Minors 0 0 0 Women 0 0 0 Injuries of Persons 9 9 0 Minors 0 0 0 Women 0 0 0 b. Property related violations June 2012 CONSEQUENCES Total Within Land “buffer zone” Within Maritime “buffer zone” Property damaged 22 19 3 Property confiscated 7 0 7 Dunums razed 73 73 0 c. Detention June 2012 CONSEQUENCES  Total Within Land “buffer zone” Within Maritime “buffer zone” Total persons detained 13 0 13 Minors detained 1 0 1 Women detained 0 0 0