Israeli army, navy damage farmland in Gaza Strip

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces briefly entered the Gaza Strip overnight Wednesday, damaging land near the border, as Israel's navy fired at the coast, setting fire to farm land.

Five military bulldozers entered the southern Gaza Strip near al-Qarara village east of Khan Younis as army planes hovered above. The bulldozers dug up agricultural fields near the border, damaging the crops, before withdrawing, a Ma'an correspondent said.

Meanwhile, Israel's navy opened fire at farmland in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, causing a fire to break out, a Ma'an reporter said.

An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Limited IOF Incursion East of Khan Younis

Al Mezan

23-5-2013

On Thursday, 23^rd May 2013, at approximately 6:00 am, Israeli tanks accompanied by armored bulldozers moved inside Al Qarara town, east of Khan Younis district. The Israeli tanks moved from al Seraige gate westward towards the east of Abbasan al Kabira town. The Israeli incursion lasted for several hours before they withdrew inside the separation fence.

Gaza Strip: Attacks in the border areas and their consequences

PCHR

Sunday, 12 May 2013 00:00

PCHR Fact Sheet  April 2013  Following disengagement from the Gaza Strip in September 2005, Israel 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 not clear and this 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 accessing their lands and fishing areas violates numerous provisions of international human rights law, including the right to work, the right to an adequate standard of living, and the right to the highest attainable standard of health. Enforcing the “buffer zone” through the use of live fire often results in, inter alia, the direct targeting of civilians and/or indiscriminate attacks, both of which constitute war crimes. Following the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in November 2012, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian armed groups was brokered by the Egyptian government, which included terms related to access to land and sea. In an online statement on 25 February 2013, the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) declared that fishermen could now access the sea up to six nautical miles offshore, and that farmers could now access lands in the border area up to 100m from the border fence. However, both references have since been removed from the statement. Then, on 21 March 2013, the Israeli forces’ spokesperson announced re-reducing the fishing area allowed for Palestinian fishermen from 6 nautical miles to 3 nautical miles. Nonetheless, the COGAT Monthly Report for November 2012 still states: “Following operation "Pillar of Defense" (November 14-21), a ceasefire was agreed upon; as a part of it and [sic] the fishing area in Gaza was increased from 3 miles to 6.” Regarding access to land, in correspondence with Gisha, on 11 March 2013, an Israeli spokesperson declared that “the residents of Gaza are required not to approach within 300m of the security fence”. These conflicting messages about the parameters of the “buffer zone”, particularly on land, have resulted in an increase of risk for the safety of civilians and their property in the border areas. Dimensions On land, inside Palestinian territory Distance from the border fence, up to which access is permitted: · Second Intifada (2000): 150 metres · According to Israel (2010) : 300 metres · 22 November 2012: unclear parameters · 25 February 2013: 100 metres · 11 March 2013: 300 metres In reality, attacks against civilians take place anywhere up to approximately 1.5 kilometres inside the border fence. This constitutes approximately 17% of the total territory of the Gaza Strip. At sea, off the coast of the Gaza Strip Distance from the shore, up to which access is permitted: · Oslo Accords (1994): 20 nautical miles (nm) · Bertini Commitment (2002): 12 nm · October 2006: 6 nm · End of 2007 : 3 nm · 22 November 2012: 6 nm In addition, access is consistently denied in the following areas: · 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 Palestinian families living in the border areas abandoned their land and homes. At sea · Palestinians are completely prevented from accessing 85% of the Palestinian maritime areas recognised in the 1994 Gaza Jericho Agreement. · Approximately 3,700 fishermen work under high personal risk every day at sea. · Approximately 8,200 persons work in the fishing industry. · Approximately 65,000 persons, including individuals who work 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 April 2013 Attacks Total “Buffer zone” on land “Buffer zone” at sea Shelling 2 1 1 Shooting 31 14 17 Incursions 7 7 0* Land levelling 1 1 0 Detention incidents 3 3 0 Total incidents 45 27 18 * These numbers do not represent all the incursions into Palestinian waters by Israeli naval forces, only the reported incidents. More often, the reported incidents involve shooting, injury and/or killing. Consequences of attacks a. Deaths and injuries April 2013 Consequences Total “Buffer zone” on land “Buffer zone” at sea Death of persons 0 0 0 Minors 0 0 0 Women 0 0 0 Injury of persons 3 3 0 Minors 2 2 0 Women 0 0 0 b. Property related violations April 2013 Consequences Total “Buffer zone” on land “Buffer zone” at sea Property damaged 1 1 0 Property confiscated 0 0 2 Dunums razed 0 0 0 c. Detention April 2013 Consequences Total “Buffer zone” on land “Buffer zone” at sea Detention incidents 4 4 0 Total persons detained 7 7 0 Minors detained 3 3 0 Women detained 0 0 0

Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 10:37

Limited Israeli Incursion Northeast Jabalyia

Al Mezan

8-5-2013

On Wednesday  8^nd May 2013, at approximately 7:00 am, IOF accompanied by twelve military bulldozers and under air cover moved for a distance of about 200-300 meters westwards of the separation fence starting from al Qubtaniyya border area, northeast of Jabaliya, Westreneast Beit Hanoun. As a result, farmers, fearing for their lives, were forced to abandon their work and leave their farms. Bulldozers level several lands before they withdrew from the area at approximately 12:00 pm. No causalities or injuries were reported.  

IOF Opens Fire at Rubble Collectors North of Beit Lahiya

Al Mezan

5-5-2013

On Sunday 5^th May 2013, at approximately 7:40 am, IOF positioned at watchtowers at the eastern separation fence opened fire towards a number of rubble collectors who were at Bouret Abu Samra at a distance of about 250 meters, north of Beit Lahyia. The fire shooting lasted for almost three hours, and no causalities or injuries were reported. According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, rubble and scrap collectors move closer to the separation fence in order to collect greater amount of rubble to be recycled and sold again. This is the main source of income for rubble collectors due to severe economic situation.

IOF Opens Fire at Civilians East of Jabalyia

Al Mezan

3-5-2013

On Friday 3^rd May 2013, at approximately 5:00 pm, IOF positioned at watchtowers near the eastern separation fence opened sporadic fire at a number of civilians who were picnicking at a distance of 20-400 meters east of al-Shuhada’ al-Islamiyia Cemetery, east of Jabalyia. According to Al Mezan field investigations, the shooting lasted for more than an hour, but no causalities or injuries were reported.

Limited IOF Incursion in Beit Hanoun

Al Mezan

2-5-2013

On Thursday, 2^nd May 2013, at approximately 5:00 am, Israeli IOF accompanied by eight armored bulldozers moved about 200-300 meters from Erez into the Domra area, north east of Beit Hanoun. The bulldozers then moved westward under intermittent firing and air cover. Farmers had to leave their lands fearing for their lives as the bulldozers razed their fields. The bulldozers are still located in the area until this moment. No causalities or injuries were reported.

IOF Opens Fire on Farmers East of Beit Hanoun

Al Mezan

2-5-2013

At approximately 8:00 on Thursday 2^nd May 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) positioned at the watchtowers in the eastern separation fence, opened heavy fire on Palestinian farmers. The farmers were forced to abandon their work and withdraw from the area fearing for their lives. No injuries were reported.

Israeli military vehicles enter border area in south Gaza

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli tanks and bulldozers entered a border area in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, locals said.

Witnesses told Ma'an that seven Israeli military vehicles entered 200 meters into a border area near Khan Younis and destroyed agricultural land, including trees.

Border incursions are frequently reported by local residents.

Tensions are high in the Gaza Strip following an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday which killed Haitham al-Mishal, 25, in Gaza City. A medical official in Gaza said al-Mishal was a security guard at al-Shifa hospital, while Israel reported that he was a "a global Jihad-affiliated terrorist."

The al-Ansar Brigades says it fired five rockets at Israeli targets on Tuesday in response to the killing.

IOF incursion in southern Gaza

[ 01/05/2013 - 12:16 PM ]

KHAN YOUNIS, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in armored vehicles escorted eight military bulldozers that advanced into eastern Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip, at dawn Wednesday. Local sources told the PIC reporter that IOF troops advanced 150 meters and reached the outskirts of Khuza’a town and bulldozed and combed the area. They said that the bulldozing reached villages east of Khan Younis city amidst heavy shooting at citizens’ houses and lands. Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation authorities decided to partially open the Karm Abu Salem terminal, the sole commercial crossing for Gaza, on Wednesday after five days of closure. Raed Fattuh, the head of the committee for the entry of goods into Gaza, said in a press statement that the partial opening of the crossing would allow entry of around 190 trucks loaded with foodstuffs, fodder, and international aid. He said that limited quantities of cooking gas would be also allowed today.