Medics: Israeli forces shoot, injure man in north Gaza

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces shot and injured a man in north Gaza on Tuesday, medics said.

Medical sources told Ma'an that Israeli soldiers stationed near the border opened fire at a laborer collecting scrap metal near Beit Hanoun.

The man was transferred to hospital for treatment.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said that "Palestinians gathered near the security fence and damaged it in the northern Gaza Strip. Security forces first fired warning shots in the air, and the suspects distanced themselves."

She added: "However, some of them returned to the scene several times. Forces exhausted all possible means but when the suspects failed to disengaged they fired toward the suspects' legs."

On Jan. 14, Mustafa Abu Jarad, 21, was shot in the head by Israeli soldiers in north Gaza and died the following day.

Three Palestinians have been shot dead by Israeli soldiers along the border since the end of an eight-day offensive in November. Over 40 people have been wounded in the incidents, Gaza officials say.

A report published Monday by Israeli rights group B'Tselem said that Israel's army "extensively and systematically violated" rules barring deadly retaliation for non-lethal assault.

"In practice, members of the security forces make almost routine use of these weapons in unlawful, dangerous ways, and the relevant Israeli authorities do too little to prevent the recurrence of this conduct," the report said.

IOF Opens Fire at Palestinian Collecting Rubbles and Scrap Northeast of Beit Hanoun

Al Mezan

29-1-2013

At approximately 11:30 am on Tuesday 29 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened sporadic fire at a number of Palestinians who were collecting rubbles and scrap from the destroyed area northeast of Beit Hanoun. As a result, Mammdouh Mhanan Mansour Al Kafarna, 19, sustained a bullet wound in the left thigh. Medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital described his injury as moderate.

IOF Opens Fire at Palestinian and International Solidarity Activists Northeast of Beit Hanoun

Al Mezan

29-1-2013

At approximately 11:10 am on Tuesday 29 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened heavy and sporadic fire at a number of Palestinian farmers, activists from Local Initiative Committee, and international solidarity activists who were in Ash-Sha’fa area near the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel northeast of Beit Hanoun. No casualties or injuries were reported. 

In his affidavit to Al Mezan, Saber Az-Za'aneen, Coordinator of the Local Initiative Committee,stated that he went as usual to that area to express his solidarity with Palestinian farmers. Eight international activists, including four women, wearing special clothes with reflectors accompanied him to that area. At approximately 10:15 am on the same day, they started to help a farmer to collect his harvest. They were about 400 meters away from the eastern separation fence when he saw two Israeli military jeeps stopped opposite them inside the Israeli border. They then heard shooting. They were terrified and left the area immediately.”

Mohammad Al-Simri, Bakr Al-Fayoumi and Adham Al-Dabaji

Mohammad Al-Simri (17) was visiting a cemetery in East Jabalia on 25th of January, when he heard shooting coming from the border fence. He saw a group of people confronting Israeli soldiers in their jeeps and decided to join them. Two soldiers got out of their jeep and lay on the ground to take aim at the demonstrators. Mohammad was throwing stones at around 30 meters from the fence when he was deafened by a bullet whistling past his ears. At first he did not notice any pain, but when he touched his face he realized he was bleeding profusely. He ran away from the site and was taken to Kamal Adwan Hospital for treatment. A bullet brushed his face leaving a wound that needed 14 stitches, 4 of them inside his mouth.

Bakr Al-Fayoumi (20) was participating in a demonstration against the Israeli Army near Jabalia when soldiers opened fire. He was running away form the site when he was injuried in the neck and the leg by shrapnel from a hollow-point bullet that hit the arm of a fellow demonstrator. He has pieces of shrapnel embedded in his leg that will require surgery for its removal. 

Adham Al-Dabaji (20) was catching birds with a net near the "buffer zone" east of Jabalia, at around 500 metres from the border fence; when the Israeli Army began shooting at a group of people that where near-by. He received a direct impact of a high-speed tear gas canister in the face that caused him injuries in the mouth.

Photos courtesy of Desde Palestina

Stories from Gaza 

IOF Opens Fire and Kills 5 Sheep East of Wadi Gaza Village

Al Mezan

27-1-2013

At approximately 1:30 pm on Sunday 27 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at sheep belonging to Naser Jaber Abu ‘Is’ayeed, 40. The sheep were grazing about 70 meters away from the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel east of Wadi As-Salqa village when the IOF opened fire at them. as a result, five sheep and a donkey were killed.

IOF Opens Fire at Palestinian Collecting Rubbles and Scrap North of Beit Lahiya

Al Mezan

27-1-2013

At approximately 8:00 am on Sunday 27 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened sporadic fire at a number of Palestinians who were collecting rubbles and scrap from Buret Abu Samra area north of Beit Lahiya. No casualties or injuries were reported.

7 Palestinians injured in Gaza by Israeli fire

[ 25/01/2013 - 10:04 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Seven Palestinians were wounded on Friday evening when Israeli occupation soldiers opened at Palestinians in two different areas in the northern Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. A local journalist said that the IOF opened machinegun fire at farmers in two different areas in the northern Gaza Strip. The first was to the east of Martyrs Cemetery east of Jabalya, resulting in the injury of five Palestinians. The other area in which Palestinian farmers came under IOF fire was east of Beit Hanoun, where two people were wounded. Dr. Ashraf Qudra, spokesman for the Ministry of Health, told PIC reporter that the five citizens wounded east of Martyrs Cemetery sustained moderate injuries. These incident are added to numerous IOF breaches of the truce agreement reached between Palestinian resistance and the Israeli occupation late November last year. These breaches resulted in the killing of 4 Palestinians and the injury of dozens.

Medics: Gaza man hurt by Israel gas canister

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A 20-year-old Palestinian was hit in the face by a tear gas canister fire by Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Strip, medics said.

Adham ad-Dabaji was wounded when Israeli forces fired high-velocity tear gas canisters at a group of Palestinians north of Beit Lahiya.

He is being treated at the Kamal Udwan Hospital.

An army spokeswoman said forces used riot-dispersal means but not live fire to disperse the crowd.

IOF fires artillery shells east of Gaza City

[ 25/01/2013 - 01:02 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired on Thursday evening artillery shells toward the Zeitoun neighborhood south east of Gaza City. Eyewitnesses said the Israeli artillery fired at a late hour on Thursday evening a shell toward Malaka area east of the Zeitoun neighborhood. There were no reports of injuries, although the shell has exploded. The sources added that after firing the shell, Israeli occupation forces opened fire towards Palestinian homes in the neighborhood, no injuries were reported. He pointed out to the presence of Israeli troops east of the Zeitoun neighborhood near Malaka Gate. This incident came in light of the continued Israeli violations to the truce signed between the Palestinian resistance and the occupation under the Egyptian mediation, where four Palestinians were martyred and many were wounded by Israeli fire, in addition to the arrest of 30 fishermen and the confiscation of a number of fishing boats in the Gaza sea since the truce.

IOF Opens Fire at Palestinian Farmers East of Jabaliya

Al Mezan

25-1-2013

At approximately 8:20 am on Friday 25 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a number of Palestinian farmers, rubble collectors, and bird hunters who were east of the Islamic cemetery east of Jabaliya. No causalities or injuries were reported.

IOF Opens Fire at Palestinian Civilians East of Jabaliya, Five Persons Injured

Al Mezan

25-1-2013

At approximately 3:30 pm on Friday 25 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened heavy sporadic fire at a group of Palestinians who were in Talet Abu Al Kas area near the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel east of Jabaliya. They were on picnic about 200 meters away from the separation fence when the IOF opened fire at them. The IOF also fired tear gas canisters to force people to leave the area. As a result five persons were injured. Al Mezan has identified them as follows:  

• Baker Hesham Al Faioumi, 20, sustained bullet wound in the neck;
• Mohammed Hatem As-Semri, 19, sustained shrapnel wound in the face;
• Fesal Naser As-Semri, 18, sustained bullet wound in the right thigh;
• Nedal Noufal, 18, sustained bullet wound in the left hand; and
• Mahmoud Ash-Shouli, 20, was suffocated due to inhaling gas. 

Medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital and Al Awda Hospital described their injury as moderate except Al Faioumi whose injury was described as critical and was referred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, the firing lasted for about two hours.

IOF Opens Fire at Palestinian Civilians North of Beit Lahiya, One Person Injured

Al Mezan

25-1-2013

At approximately 3:40 pm on Friday 25 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened heavy live ammunition and gas canisters at a number of Palestinians who were in Buret Abu Samra area near the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel north of Beit Lahiya. They were about 300 meters away from the fence when the IOF opened fire at them. As a result, Adham Abdullah Ad-Dabji. 19, was injured in the mouth. Medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital described his injury as minor. 

According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, the firing lasted for about two hours.

List of Palestinians shot by IOF in Gaza Strip after the November 21, ceasefire - UPDATE 22-1-2013

The funeral of martyr Mahmoud Jarghoun 

Since November 22, 2012, 4 Palestinians have been killed and 78 Palestinians, including 16 children have been wounded by IOF fire in Gaza Strip. One of the wounded is fisherman shot in the sea, while the others are protesters, workers and farmers shot in the areas close to the fence of the Green Line. Also, 1 Palestinian have been injured by tear gas canister shot with weapon.

The data are from PCHR weekly reports, unless otherwise mentioned. In almost all the cases, the victims are mentioned expressly as civilians.

This is not a complete list of Israeli violations of the ceasefire, as it contains only the incidents which resulted in injuries or deaths. 

Martyrs

• Anwar Abdul Hadi Msallam Qdeih, 20, was wounded in the head and died directly, in the east of Abassan and Khuza'a, east of Khan Yunis, on Friday 23 November.

• Mahmoud Ali Jarghoun, 20, was wounded by a bullet to the pelvis, in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on Friday, 30 November 2012.Medical efforts to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead in the early morning on Saturday, 01 December 2012.
• Anwar Al Malouk, 19, wounded by gunshot to the abdomen, east of Jabalya, on Friday 11 January 2013, while 40 meters from the fence. Died while evacuated to the hospital. 
• Mustafa Abu Jarad, 20, shot in the forehead by sniper's fire, nearly 1,200 meters away from the border, north of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Monday 14 January 2013, while farming. Died in hospital. 

Wounded

• 9 Palestinians wounded in the east of al-Faraheen area in Abassan, east of Khan Yunis, on Thursday 22 November 2012.

• 2 Palestinian wounded in the east of al-Shouka village in the east of Rafah, on Thursday 22 November 2012.

• 18 Palestinians wounded, including 3 children, in the east of Abassan and Khuza'a, east of Khan Yunis, on Friday 23 November

• 2 Palestinians wounded, including 1 child, Mohammed Nabil Ahmed Abu Eyadah, 14, lightly wounded in the head, east of ‘Abassan al-Kabira, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on Sunday 25 November.

• 2 Palestinians wounded, east of Jablya in the northern Gaza Strip, on Monday 26 November 2012. The first sustained a bullet wound in the right thigh and shrapnel wounds in the right shoulder. The other one sustained a bullet to the left knee.

• 1 Palestinian, an 18-year-old boy sustained a bullet wound in his right knee, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday 27 November 2012

• 1 Palestinian, Abdul Fattah Ashraf Zaqout, 20, was wounded by 3 bullets to the abdomen and right arm, in the east of al-Shouka village, east of Rafah, on Tuesday 27 November 2012.

• 1 Palestinian, Hassan Ahmed Naseer, 26, was wounded by a bullet to the right knee, in the east of Beit Hanoun, on Wednesday, 28 November 2012.

• 8 Palestinians, including 3 children, were wounded, in the east of al-Bureij and al-Maghazi refugee camps in the central camps, on Wednesday, 28 November 2012.

• 1 Palestinian, Mahmoud Sami Na'im, 24, was wounded by shrapnel from a bullet in the chest, in the east of Beit Hanoun, on Wednesday, 28 November 2012.

• 1 Palestinian, Suleiman Saleh al-Najadi, 42, was wounded by a bullet to the back, in the east of al-Shouka village, east of Rafah, on Wednesday, 28 November 2012.

• 1 Palestinian child, Waheed Majed Adel al-Fseifis, 17, was wounded by a bullet to the left leg, on Thursday, 29 November 2012.

• 4 Palestinians, including 1 child wounded the east of Jabalya town in the north of the Gaza Strip, on Friday, 30 November 2012:

- Lo'ai Ahmed Kamel Abed Rabbu, 14; wounded by a bullet to the right leg;

- Ahmed Anwar al-Zaza, 18; wounded by a bullet to the right knee;

- Salman Osama Salman Abu Ajwa, 24, wounded by a bullet to the right leg;

- Ahmed Mesleh Salah, 26, wounded by a bullet to the right leg.

• 1 Palestinian, Bassam Mohammed Abu Rjaila, 22, was wounded by a bullet to the leg, in the east of Khan Yunis, on Friday, 30 November 2012.

• 4 Palestinians protesters wounded, in the northeast of al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, on Friday, 30 November 2012:

- Hassan Hammad Ibrahim al-Tebri, 39, wounded by a bullet to the left leg;

- Ahmed Abdul Qader Omar Abu Jalal, 22, wounded by a bullet to the right leg;

- Mohammed Ahmed Sulaiman al-Awawda, 27, wounded by a bullet to the left leg;

- Mohammed As'ad Mohammed al-Bardini, 23, wounded by a bullet to the right thigh.

• 1 Palestinian child, Jihad Iyad Mohammed Abu Ouda, 16, was wounded by a bullet to the right leg, east of Beit Hanoun, on Friday, 30 November 2012.

• 1 Palestinian, Nedal Mohammed Abdallah, 21, was moderately wounded by a bullet to his right foot, east of Jabalya town in the northern Gaza Strip, on Saturday, 01 December 2012.

• 1 Palestinian, Mahmoud Mohammed al-Adgham, 23, was wounded by a bullet to his right foot, east of Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip, on Saturday, 01 December 2012.

• 1 Palestinian, Sami Saeed Rabi’a Hamdiya, 28, was wounded by a bullet to his right knee, in the east of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, on Saturday, 01 December 2012.

• 1 Palestinian child shepherd, Jihad Mesbah Salim al-Sawarka, 16, wounded him in the left knee, while grazing sheep 300 meters away from the border fence, in the east of al-Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip, on Monday, 03 December 2012.

• 1 Palestinian worker, Abdullah Salim Abu Jari, 23, sustained injuries in his left leg, while he was 300 meters away from the border fence, in northwestern Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza Strip, on Sunday, 09 December 2012.

• 1 Palestinian worker, Hamza Mohammed Rajab Ma’arouf, 19, wounded during IOF incursion, northwest of “Elissenai” settlement, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, on Wednesday, 12 December 2012. He was 500 meters away from the border fence when they started firing.

• 1 Palestinian, Asef Rasmi Ibrahim al-Khaldi, 19, wounded by a bullet to the right arm, while  collecting aluminum and metal pieces from the landfill, which is 150 meters away from the border fence, in Wadi Gaza (Juhor al-Deek), on Thursday, 13 December 2012.

• 1 Palestinian, Mohammed Salah Qdeih, 22, was wounded by a bullet to the right hand, in the east of Khan Yunis, east of al-Faraheen area, 200 meters to the west of the border fence, on Friday, 14 December 2012.

• 1 Palestinian, Mo'men Mohammed al-Abed Nawwarah, 19, was seriously wounded by a bullet to the right leg, in the east of Jabalya, 150 meters away from the fence, on Friday, 14 December 2012.

• 1 Palestinian farmer, Khaled Sulaiman Abdul Karim Mhanna, 25, was seriously wounded by a bullet to abdomen that exited the back, while working at his farm, located 500 meters away from the border fence, east of Khan Yunis, on Sunday, 16 December 2012.

• 1 Palestinian fisherman, Mos'ad Abdul Razeq Baker, 38, wounded by a bullet to the left thigh, while sailing 7 nautical miles of Wadi Gaza shore, on Monday, 17 December 2012.

• 2 Palestinians protesters, including a child, were wounded, east of Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip, 30 meters away from the fence, on Friday, 21 December 2012:

-Mohammed Ahmed Mahmoud ‘Ebeid, 21 was wounded by a bullet that penetrated his 2 legs.

-Mazen Jamal Mohammed Mesleh, 17 was seriously wounded by a bullet to the right and left knees.

• 2 Palestinians protesters, including a child, were wounded, north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, 50 meters away from the fence, on Friday, 21 December 2012:

-Mohammed Mostafa Mohammed ‘Ashour, 31, was wounded by a bullet to the right leg; and

-Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed Salman, 15, was wounded by a bullet to the left leg (entered and exited).

• 1 Palestinian child worker, Ramzi Mohammed Rajab Ma'rouf, 17, was wounded by a bullet to the right leg, in the northern Gaza Strip, 500 meters away from the border fence, on Monday, 31 December 2012.

• 1 Palestinian worker, Abdullah al-Zaneen, 32, wounded, in the east of Beit Lahia, on Saturday 5 January 2013. (PIC , Ma'an) 
•  1 Palestinian, Omar Wadi, 21, wounded by shrapnel in both legs, east of Jabalya, on Friday 11 January 2013, while trying to save Anwar Al Malouk, who was 40 meters from the fence. 
• 1 Palestinian child, Mohammed Samir Ahmed Sorour, 17 wounded in the foot, by gunfire, north of Beit Lahiya, on Friday 18 January 2013.  
• 1 Palestinian child, Nahed Ahmed al-'Edini, 2, was wounded by a bullet to the left leg, east of Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip, on Saturday 19 January 2013. 
• 1 Palestinian worker, Abdullah Mohammed Sofian Mahmoud Ma’arouf, 18, was injured in the right leg that led to damaging it, north of al-Ghoul land, north of the former location of “Eli Sinai” settlement, northwest of Beit Lahiah in the northern Gaza Strip, on Monday 21 January 2013.

Injured by tear gas canister

•  1 Palestinian, Yousif Soliman Hamdan Abu Odah, 21, from Jabalya, was injured with a tear gas canister in the head,  north of the Islamic Martyrs cemetery, east of Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip, while 100 meters from the fence, on Friday 18 January 2013.

Limited IOF Incursion East of Beit Hanoun

Al Mezan

23-1-2013

At approximately 8:40 am on Wednesday 23 January 2013, 10 Israeli tanks accompanied by armored bulldozers moved under sporadic covering fire about 200 meters into Al Qatbaniya area southeast of Beit Hanoun. Bulldozers leveled lands that have been frequently razed before. The Israeli forces then moved to the north wards. Palestinian farmers were terrified and abandoned their work.

The Broken Truce‏

Abdullah Marouf (Photo: Desde Palestina)

Beit Lahiya, Gaza Strip
Monday 21st January, 2013

A ceasefire was announced on 21st November, ending eight days of horrific bloodshed in Gaza. Has the delicate truce held over the past two months? It depends who you ask. Israelis or Gazans, each going about their daily lives on opposite sides of a border fence.

There has not been a single report of a rocket fired out of Gaza since 21st November. In contrast, four Palestinians have lost their lives and over 80 have been injured by Israeli forces since then. Yet these violations have received little or no coverage in the mainstream media. Palestinian civilians, whose only crime is to live in the border areas, are terrorized on a daily basis by the Israeli army. This is what everyday life under the ceasefire has meant for them.

Beit Lahiya, in the far north of the Gaza Strip is one such place. A week ago it saw the brutal murder of 20 year-old Mustafa Abu Jarad. Today, it was the site of another Israeli violation. Abdullah Marouf, 18, was in the west of Beit Lahiya, near the coast, when he was shot in the right leg by Israeli forces, fracturing both his tibia and fibula.

At about 9.00 on the morning of 21st January, Abdullah was in an area approximately 250 metres from the border fence, catching birds with his two brothers. A group of five or six Palestinians they were unaquainted with were also in the vicinity, closer to the fence than they were. Abdullah had been under the impression that he would be safe, however he noticed an Israeli soldier in a watchtower on the border and others on the ground. The soldiers began firing live ammunition towards them and Abdullah was shot.

Two local farmers brought him to Kamal Adwan hospital where surgeons performed percutaneous pinning of his lower leg which had sustained damage from an entry wound and a significantly larger exit wound. He requires subsequent surgery in a couple of months to fit internal wires. His recovery is estimated to take at least 12 months.

Abdullah, who is engaged to be married, had been working with his two brothers selling scrap metal. Now they will have to support a family of nine without his help. It is unsurprising that he expressed a lack of faith in the ceasefire agreement.

One can only expect that the Palestinian resistance has also lost faith and is fast losing patience. If a response is provoked it will appear to be in a vacuum - despite this being far from the case - due to the shameful silence maintained by the international community throughout the ongoing Israeli atrocities. It is for people of conscience to protest this injustice and prevent a further escalation of Israel's attacks on Gaza.

Medics: Israeli forces shoot man near Gaza border

 

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian worker near the Erez crossing in north Gaza on Monday, medics said.

Adbullah Maaroof, 19, was shot in the leg by Israeli forces and taken to the Kamal Udwan hospital for treatment, Palestinian medics said.

Israeli military sources said the army fired warning shots at Palestinians gathered near the border, and after they returned several times troops fired towards one person who was damaging the border fence.

Three Palestinians have been shot dead by Israeli soldiers along the border since the end of an eight-day offensive in November. Over 40 people have been wounded in the incidents, Gaza officials say.

On Friday, paramedics said that a man was hit in the foot by Israeli gunfire north of Beit Lahiya.

A man was killed last Tuesday after being shot in the head in the town of Beit Lahiya on the border with Israel, Gaza's health ministry said.

Bulldozing the Ceasefire‏

Farmland inside the so-called "Buffer Zone" in Khuza´a that was bulldozed during the nights of 15th to 17th of January 2013. This area was recently planted by Palestinian farmers with the support of international activists, that accompanied them to monitor any attack from the Israeli Army. The bulldozing operation was carried with the support of tanks and Apache helicopters. The marks left on the land by the treads of the bulldozers can be clearly seen on the foreground.

Khuza'a, Gaza Strip
15th - 17th January, 2013

At about 8.30pm on Tuesday 15th January, Israeli tanks and military bulldozers breached the border adjacent to the village of Khuza'a, east of Khan Younis and intruded inside the Gaza Strip. The incursion into Palestinian farmland continued through the night and added to the long list of Israeli ceasefire violations.

Heavy shooting was reported during the assault but fortunately there were no injuries on this occasion. Also, explosions were heard but no homes were damaged. Terrified locals contacted the International Committee of the Red Cross but were told that the Israeli military wouldn't listen to anyone.

A farmer from Khuza´a pointing at his land, that was bulldozed by the Israeli Army last week. During those days, the army made incursions on Palestinian land along the Gaza Strip with tanks, bulldozers and infantry units; with heavy shooting reported in areas such as Rafah, Khan Yunis and Beit Lahiya. This incursions are considered a clear violation of the recent ceasefire agreement by Palestinian officials. Since the truce was brokered on 21st of November, four Palestinians have been killed, and dozens have been injured by Israeli gunfire.

The raid continued on the night of Wednesday 16th January, when Apache helicopters were reported to have also been deployed. Then, on Thursday 17th January, the Israeli military aggression continued in the area for a third consecutive night.

A large swathe of agricultural land was damaged, about eight kilometres along the border fence and about 250 metres back from it. Within this area about 300 dumuns were razed, including wheat crops planted in December. Fields belonging to about 500 different farmers were affected, according to local officials. Farmers have attempted to approach their lands since the attack but haven't been able to reach land closer than 100 metres from the fence.

The mayor of Khuza'a, Kamal Al-Najar, explained that 800 of the 2,000 dunums of agricultural land in Khuza'a is close to the border fence and wasn't accessible prior to Israel's eight-day offensive on Gaza in November. At that time, farmers in Khuza'a had only been able to access their lands which lay half a kilometre or more from the border fence.

Razed farmland in the "Buffer Zone" in Khuza´a. An Israeli automated gun-tower can be seen in the background. An Israeli soldier stationed at the other side of the border made two warning shots on the ground a few moments after this photo was taken.

Since the ceasefire announcement, they have accessed land 300 metres from the fence and had managed to cultivate about 400 dunums within that area for the first time in ten years. However, most of this has now been destroyed in last week's attack. Over the course of the last ten years, the Israeli military has destroyed olive and citrus groves, greenhouses and water pumping facilities in the border areas.

Photos courtesy of Desde Palestina:
http://desde-palestina.blogspot.com/2013/01/bulldozed-farmland-in-khuzaa.html?m=1

IOF Opens Fire at Palestinian Farmers, Rubble Collectors, and Bird Hunters East of Jabaliya

Al Mezan

21-1-2013

At approximately 3:40 pm on Monday 21 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire a t a number of Palestinian farmers, rubble collectors, and bird hunters who were east of the Islamic cemetery east of Jabaliya. No causalities or injuries were reported.

IOF Opens Fire at Rubble and Scrap Collectors East of Jabaliya

Al Mezan

21-1-2013

At approximately 8:30 am on Monday 21 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians who were collecting scrap and rubble and hunting birds from the destroyed structures east of the Islamic cemetery area near the border fence between Gaza and Israel east of Jabaliya. No casualties or injuries were reported.

IOF Opens Fire at Rubble and Scrap Collectors Northwest of Beit Lahiya; One Person Injured

Al Mezan

21-1-2013

At approximately 9:55 am on Monday 21 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a number of Palestinian young men who were collecting rubble and scrap who in the Eli Sinai evacuated settlement northwest of Beit Lahiya. As a result, Abdullah Mohammed Ma’rouf, 18, sustained a bullet wound in the right leg that caused a fracture. Medical sources at Kamal Odwan described his injury as moderate.

IOF Opens Fire at Palestinians Collecting Rubble and Scrap in the Vicinity of Beit Hanoun

Al Mezan

21-1-2013

At approximately 9:55 am on Monday 21 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a number of Palestinians who were collecting rubble and scrap west of the Erez crossing. No casualties or injuries were reported.  

IOF Opens Fire at Rubble and Scrap Collectors North of Beit Lahiya

Al Mezan

20-1-2013

At approximately 11:15 am on Sunday 20 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at Palestinian civilians who were collecting scrap and rubble from the destroyed structures in Buret Abu Samra area near the border fence between Gaza and Israel north of Beit Lahiya. The group was about 200 meters from the border fence when IOF fired at them. The sporadic fire continued for about two hours. No casualties or injuries were reported.

Limited IOF Incursion North of Beit Lahiya

Al Mezan

20-1-2013

At approximately 8:00 am on Sunday 20 January 2013, six Israeli tanks accompanied by armored bulldozers moved under sporadic covering fire about 200 meters into the Palestinian side. The bulldozers leveled lands that had been razed frequently before. The Israeli tanks then moved to the east wards. At approximately 12:00 pm on the same day, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) withdrew from the area. 

IOF soldiers fire at Palestinian homes in southern Gaza Strip

[ 19/01/2013 - 02:59 PM ]

RAFAH, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) fired at Palestinian homes to the east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, on Saturday. The PIC correspondent in Rafah said that soldiers stationed in military watchtowers and armored vehicles opened heavy machinegun fire at the Gaza international airport with no reports of casualties or damages reported. The incident is the latest in a series of breaches of the calm agreement brokered by Egypt on 21/11/2012 that killed four Palestinians and wounded dozens. The violations also included the arrest of 30 fishermen at sea and blasting and seizing control of many fishing boats off the coasts of Gaza.

Two Palestinians Injured By Army Fire In Gaza

Saturday January 19, 2013 00:15 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Friday January 18, Palestinian medical sources reported that two Palestinians have been injured by Israeli military fire as they worked in their lands, close to the border in Beit Lahia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

File - Image By Arabs48

Medical sources reported that Israeli soldiers, stationed across the eastern border of Beit Lahia, fired several rounds of live ammunition at Palestinian farmers in the area wounding two.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra, stated that one farmer suffered a moderate injury after being shot in the leg, while another farmer was mildly injured after a live round scraped his head.

The attack comes only four days after Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian farmer in the same area; the farmer, Mustafa Abu Jarad, 21, was shot by a live round in the head.

Israeli soldiers repeatedly target Palestinian farmers and workers in Palestinian lands close to the border fence as the soldiers try to keep the Palestinians away from the fence area; dozens of casualties have been reported, especially since Israel imposed the siege on Gaza in June of 2006.

----

IOF wound Palestinian boy in Bethlehem, two farmers in Gaza

[ 18/01/2013 - 09:51 PM ]

BETHLEHEM, BEIT LAHYA, (PIC)-- IOF troops on Friday critically wounded a Palestinian boy during confrontations that broke out at Aida refugee camp in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem. Local sources said that 14-year-old Saleh Farajeen from the Ezza refugee camp in Bethlehem was wounded during clashes between the IOF and local youth in neighbouring Aida refugee camp. A Palestinian medical source told PIC that the teenager arrived Friday afternoon at the Arab Society Hospital in Beith Jala in a critical condition because of a bullet wound to his head. The boy was taken immediately to the operating theatre. At the same time arrangements were being made to transfer him to Hadasa hospital in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, IOF troops wounded two Palestinian farmers in Beit Lahya, in the northern Gaza Strip. The Ministry of Health spokesman, Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra told PIC that two farmers in their twenties were wounded by the IOF in Abu Safeyya area in the northern Gaza Strip. He added that one of the farmers was hit in his foot and sustained a moderate injury while the other had a bullet scraping his head lightly injuring him. Both were taken to Kamal Odwan hospital. Occupation soldiers target farmers whose fields lie near the border fence on nearly a daily basis despite agreeing to a polish the buffer zone in the latest truce agreement with the Palestinian resistance, making all these incidents violations of the truce on the part of the occupation.

Girl Injured East of Wadi As-Salqa village

Al Mezan

19-1-2013

At approximately 9:30 am on Saturday 19 January 2013, Nahed Ahmed Al ‘Adini, 4, was admitted to Al Aqsa Hospital after sustaining bullet wound in the left leg. She was injured while she was playing in front of her house which is located 1 kilometer away from the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel east of Wadi As-Salqa village. It’s worth noting that the IOF opened sporadic fire at the eastern parts of Wadi As-Salqa village.

IOF Opens Fire and Tear Gaza Canisters at Palestinian Civilians North of Beit Lahiya, One Person Injured

Al Mezan

18-1-2013

At approximately 3:40 pm on Friday 18 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire and tear gas canisters at a group of young Palestinian men who were in Buret Abu Samra area near the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel north of Beit Lahiya. As a result, Mohammed Samir Srour, 17, sustained a bullet wound in the left leg. Medical sources at Kamal Idwan Hospital described his injury as moderate. The firing lasted for about two hours

IOF Opens Fire at Young Palestinian Men East of Jabaliya, One Person Injured

Al Mezan

18-1-2013

At approximately 4:20 pm on Friday 18 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired live ammunition and gas canisters at a group of young Palestinian men who were in Abu Safiya area near the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israeli east of Jabaliya. As a result, Yousif Ismail Abu Odwa, 21, sustained a wound in the head as a gas canister fell over his head. Medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital described his injury as light. The sporadic firing lasted for about one hour.

Israeli forces 'shoot, injure man in north Gaza'

 

 

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- A Palestinian man was shot and injured by Israeli soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday, medics said.

Paramedics told Ma'an that the man was hit in the foot by gunfire in the al-Ghoul area north of Beit Lahiya.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said Palestinians rioted near the border in northern Gaza, and that Israeli soldiers acted in accordance with the army's rules of engagement.

She could not say whether live fire was used.

IOF Opens Fire on Palestinian Civilians Collecting Rubble and Scrap North of Beit Lahyia

Al Mezan

17-1-2013

At approximately 7:30 am on Thursday 17 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at Palestinian civilians who were collecting scrap and rubble from the destroyed structures in Buret Abu Samra area near the border fence between Gaza and Israel north of Beit Lahiya. The group was about 200 meters from the border fence when IOF fired at them.The sporadic fire continued for about two hours. No casualties or injuries were reported.

IOF Opens Fire North of Bedouins Village

Al Mezan

16-1-2013

At approximately 11:30 am on Wednesday 16 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a number of young Palestinian men who were collecting rubble and woods near the separation fence north of Um An-Naser (Bedouins) village in North Gaza district.  No casualties or injuries were reported.

IOF Fires Several Artillery Shells at Agricultural Land Northeast of Al Maghazi Refugee Camp

Al Mezan

16-1-2013

At approximately 8:30 am on Wednesday 16 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired about three artillery shells at an agricultural piece of land north east of Al Maghazi refugee camp. No casualties or injuries were reported.  

Israeli special forces penetrate northern Gaza

[ 15/01/2013 - 06:50 PM ]

NORTHERN GAZA, (PIC)-- Israeli special forces penetrated on Tuesday morning, dozens of meters in the Abu Samra area northwest of the town of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip. Local sources told PIC reporter that "an Israeli infantry unit has stepped forward several meters within the territory of the Palestinian farms in that area, while farmers withdrew from the region in order to preserve their lives. The farmer Mustafa Abdul Hakim Abu Jarad, was martyred on Monday evening after being shot by Israeli bullets in the town of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip at noon. In November 21, Palestinian factions signed a truce with the Israeli side under the mediation of Egypt in Cairo a agreement, to stop the Israeli operations that lasted for eight days in Gaza, in return of stopping the Palestinian factions' rockets. Among the truce terms imposed by the resistance was canceling the so-called buffer zone imposed by "Israel" along the Gaza border, and allow farmers to have access to their lands, and this is what actually happened, where the farmers have returned to their land with great joy, the occupation has surprised them - as expected - with violating the agreement.

Israel's Definition of a Ceasefire‏

Mustafa Abu Jarad, in hospital shortly before he died (photo: Desde Palestina)

Beit Lahiya, Gaza Strip
Monday 14th January

Just three days after the fatal shooting of Anwar Al-Malouk near 
Jabalia, the Israeli military has murdered another Palestinian 
civilian despite a supposed ceasefire being in place. Mustafa Abu 
Jarad, 20, was one of a group of farm labourers working on a plot of 
land in an area north of Beit Lahiya in the very north of the Gaza 
Strip, over a kilometre away from the border fence.

From the border, the Israeli army began firing heavily in their 
direction, causing them to flee the area. Later, when the situation 
had calmed, they returned to work believing it was safe to do so. 
Suddenly a single shot targeted Mustafa directly in the forehead. 
Witnesses say it was sniper fire from an Israeli military watchtower 
on the border. With this level of pinpoint accuaracy, the Israeli 
sniper must have had a clear enough view of Mustafa to be able to 
identify him as a civilian farmer.

The bullet went straight through Mustafa's head leaving a massive exit 
wound. He was rushed to Kamal Adwan Hospital in the north of the Gaza 
Strip but was quickly transferred to Al Shifa, Gaza's main hospital, 
due to the severity of his injuries. He arrived in a critical 
condition and underwent emergency surgery to remove bone fragments 
from the remaining part of his brain and to relieve internal bleeding. 
Unfortunately, he had sustained a massive brain trauma and his 
prognonis was bleak. He died in the ICU a few hours after the 
operation as his family anxiously waited for news.

Mustafa's older brother, Loay, was killed two and a half months ago 
whilst active with the Palestinian resistance. Mustafa had no 
involvement with the resistance himself. He was trying to earn a 
little extra income for his family whilst he completed his studies. 
The latest attacks increase the number of Palestinian casualties since 
the ceasefire announcement to more than 30, according to officials in 
Gaza.

To further flout the ceasefire agreement, several Israeli military 
vehicles were reported to have breached the border with Gaza this 
morning in an agricultural area east of Khan Younis in the south of 
the Gaza Strip (Ma'an News Agency). After continual violations of the 
November ceasefire, committed by the Israeli military against 
Palestinian civilians, the question remains:

When will the international community take notice - and furthermore 
take action - to prevent an escalation of bloodshed?

Photo courtesy of Desde Palestina:
http://desde-palestina.blogspot.com/2013/01/mustafa-abu-jarad-was-murdered-today-by.html?m=1

IOF Opens Fire Northwest of Beit Lahiya, One Person Killed

Al Mezan

14-1-2013

At approximately 2:30 pm on Monday 14 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a number of young Palestinian men who were about 100 meters away from the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel northwest of Beit Lahiya in North Gaza district. As a result, Mustafa Abdel Hakeem Abu Jarad, 19, sustained a bullet wound in the head. Medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital described his injury as critical and referred him to Shifa Hospital in Gaza. At approximately 7:15 pm on the same day, medical sources announced his death.

In his affidavit to Al Mezan, Saddam Jamal Warsh Agha, Abu Jarad’s friend, stated that at around midday on Monday his friend Mustafa Abu Jarad came to visit him at his field. While they were setting in the field a number of young Palestinian men came. At around 1:00 pm he heard shooting and saw sand scattered around him and his friend. He heard his friend calling him and telling him to lie down and he did. His friend Abu Jarad crunched. Saddam added that he saw his friend falling on the ground and bleeding from head. He tried to let his friend say Shehada (truthfully reciting the Muslim profession and faith and also worshiping the one and only god Allah and his messenger Mohammed) but he was bleeding and could not say it.  His brother called ambulance and Abu Jarad went to ask people to help them. Abu Jarad managed to get a car to carry his friend to the hospital.

Israeli military vehicles 'breach Gaza border'

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Several Israeli military vehicles breached the border with the Gaza Strip on Monday morning, but no confrontations were reported.

Locals told Ma'an the vehicles were scanning agricultural land east of Khan Younis, in south Gaza. Farmers immediately evacuated their fields, fearing troops would open fire, they said.

An Israeli military spokesman said the troops were conducting "routine activity" in the area.

Israel had barred Palestinians from coming within hundreds of meters of the border, but in a November ceasefire deal agreed to ease curbs on Gaza.

Fatal attack east of Jabalia - a further violation of the ceasefire‏

 

Omar Wadi (21) sitting in his house in Jabalia refugee camp, still recoverig from wounds in both legs after being shot by Israeli soldiers on January 11th 2012, while he was in the "Buffer Zone". He was injuried by the shrapnel of a hollow-point bullet when he was trying to help Anwar Almalouk (19), who was shot in the stomach. Anwar would later die while being transferred to the hospital.

An X-ray showing the piece of shrapnel embedded in Omar´s leg (white spot).

Jabalia, Gaza Strip
Friday 11th January, 2013

The fragile ceasefire announced on 21st November, following Israel's eight-day offensive on Gaza, was yet again violated by the Israeli military today after a fatal attack on a group of Palestinian civilians east of Jabalia. 19 year-old Anwar Al-Malouk, a law student from the Shajaia district of Gaza City was shot dead and 21 year-old Omar Wadi from the Jabalia refugee camp, north of Gaza City, was injured as he came to Anwar's aid.

At about 2.30pm on 11th January, Omar was in a local cemetary visiting the graves of friends killed under the occupation. He noticed a group of around 30 Palestinians a few hundred metres away to the east, between the cemetary and the fence marking the eastern border of the Gaza Strip.

From the cemetary, which was over half a kilometre from the border fence, Omar approached the group to investigate the situation. Four Israeli military jeeps were positioned on the other side of the fence and around 12 Israeli soldiers were present, firing tear-gas canisters towards the group of Palestinians.

At this point, the group was at a distance of approximately 100 metres from the fence but then fled a further 100 metres back, amid the tear-gas attack. By around 4pm, Anwar had been separated from the group and remained alone about 40 metres from the fence, when he was shot by the soldiers and fell.

Three of the group, including Omar, went back to assist Anwar. Omar says he acted instinctively at the sight of a fellow Palestinian in danger and didn't consider his own safety - despite not having previously known Anwar. As he arrived to where Anwar lay, he was hit in both legs by shrapnel from a hollow-tip bullet which exploded on impact with the ground nearby and showered metal fragments in his direction.

The two others managed to evacuate Omar and Anwar from the scene to safety but Anwar had sustained a serious gunshot wound to his abdomen and died en route to hospital. Anwar had to be driven from the area to the main road in a toc-toc, where he was then transferred to an ambulance. Unfortunately, by this time he had already passed away in the toc-toc.

At Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabalia, Omar was treated for ankle injuries. He has since been released but the shrapnel remains embedded in his bones. As an outpatient of the osteological department, he must return next week for assessment regarding the possibility of surgery to remove the shrapnel. It is understandable that Omar was terrified during the attack. He has been traumatised by the experience and has not been able to sleep due to reliving the memory of it.

Omar has two brothers and six sisters. His 18 year-old brother, Mohammed, was seriously injured during an Israeli incursion in the east of Jabalia five years ago when he was only 13 years old. Mohammed underwent treatment in Egypt for four months and is still receiving treatment in Gaza to this day.

The young mens' father expressed concern about Omar ever visiting the cemetary again, whilst their mother said she feared one day all her sons would be killed. The Wadi family yearn for a genuine ceasefire yet anticipated from the outset that Israel would never respect it. Omar's principal hope is that Israel's crimes against Palestinians will end.

Anwar was the youngest son of the Al-Malouk family and the only one still living at home due to his older brothers being married. His 55 year-old mother hopes he is now at peace.

The first Palestinian killed after the ceasefire announcement was also named Anwar. On 23rd November, just two days into the agreement, Anwar Qudieh was shot dead, this time in the rural area of Abassan, east of Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip.

There have been numerous Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians in Gaza during the ceasefire. One can only imagine the response had it been the other way around.

Photos courtesy of Desde Palestina:
http://desde-palestina.blogspot.com/2013/01/omar-wadi.html?m=1

Limited IOF Incursion North of Beit Lahiya

Al Mezan

12-1-2013

At approximately 8:00 am on Thursday 10 January 2013, six Israeli tanks moved under sporadic covering fire about 200 meters into Buret Abu Samra area north of Beit Lahiya in North Gaza district. No casualties or injuries were reported but the farmers were frightened and abandoned their work.   In the evening hours on the same day, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) withdrew from the place.

IOF Kills One and Injures another East of Jabaliya

Al Mezan

11-1-2013

At approximately 4:10 pm on Friday 11 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a number of young Palestinian men east of the Ash-Shuhadaa Cemetery east of Jabaliya in North Gaza district. As a result, Anwar Mohammed ‘Ilyian Al Mammlouk, 19, was killed and Omar Ismail Wadi, 20, was injured in the legs. Medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital described his injury as minor.

According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, farmers started to replant their lands in areas near the borders at the end of November 2011. A number of young Palestinian men usually go there for walk.

IOF Opens Fire near the Separation Fence North of Beit Lahiya

Al Mezan

11-1-2013

At approximately 3:30 pm on Friday 11 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a number of young Palestinian men who were in the agricultural area near the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel north of Beit Lahiya. No casualties or injuries were reported. 

Witnesses: Israeli military level land in north Gaza

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli military vehicles crossed into northern Gaza to level land on Thursday morning, witnesses told Ma'an.

Six military vehicles, including two bulldozers, crossed two hundred meters inside Beit Lahiya agricultural land, leveling an area called Bouret Abu Samra.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said the incident was "routine activity."

IOF Opens Fire at Garbage Collection Vehicle in North Gaza District, One Person Injured

Al Mezan

5-1-2013

At approximately 10:50 am on Saturday 5 January 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a garbage collection vehicle of the Beit Hanoun Municipality in North Gaza district. The truck was about 200 meters away from the northern separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel when the IOF opened fire at it.  As a result, worker Awad Abdullah Ali Az-Za’aneen, 36, sustained shrapnel wounds in the head. Medical sources at Beit Hanoun Hospital described his injury as minor. The vehicle sustained minor damage.