1-1-2012
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
Published
as part of the “Child Rights at the Centre: Enhancing National
Capacities to Monitor, Document, and Report on Child Rights Issues in
the oPt” project, funded by Save the Children - UK. The
contents of this report are the sole responsibility of the Al Mezan
Center for Human Rights, and can in no way be taken to represent the
views of Save the Children - UK.
What Is the “Buffer Zone”?
The
Buffer Zone is a military no-go zone imposed by Israel, starting at the
border fence between Israel and the Gaza Strip and extending a
substantial distance into Gazan territory. “Buffer
zone,” or sometimes “access-restricted areas,” are terms generally used
by Israel to describe the band of Gazan territory to which Palestinian
access is effectively denied. (The term “Buffer Zone” is used throughout this factsheet for simplicity’s sake.) Israel
treats this border area, which contains much of Gaza’s most valuable
arable land, as a free-fire zone, meaning any Gazan resident entering
the zone is at risk of death or injury. It
also regularly sends troops, including armoured columns, into the
border areas to keep the lands razed of any built-up structures or
agricultural activity. Despite the mortal threat associated with entering the Buffer Zone, its actual width and area are unclear. In
May 2009, Israeli Occupation Force (IOF) aircraft dropped leaflets on
Gaza warning residents not to move within 300 metres of the border
fence, or risk being shot at. In
reality, however, Palestinians have been shot up to two kilometres from
the border fence, and houses and buildings have been demolished at a
distance greater than 300 metres from the border.
