Israeli forces 'injure farmer' during clash with Gaza militants

Published Wednesday 21/05/2014 (updated) 21/05/2014 17:03

(MaanImages/File)

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A Palestinian farmer was hit in the head by an Israeli bullet on Wednesday in the southern Gaza Strip, sustaining minor injuries, medics told Ma'an.

The man, who was not immediately identified, was taken to a military hospital in Khan Younis after being shot in the Khazaa area.

He was hit as Israeli soldiers retaliated against Palestinian militants who had detonated an explosive device, damaging a military vehicle.

Witnesses told Ma'an that Israeli military vehicles entered Gaza and leveled Palestinian agricultural fields dozens of meters away from the border with Israel in al-Qarara east of Khan Younis.

Militants detonated an explosive device remotely, damaging a vehicle but causing no injuries.

Israeli forces responded by firing mortar shells into open fields without causing any injuries, locals said.

Military helicopters hovered over the area throughout the exchange.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said that "an explosive devise was activated against IDF soldiers." She confirmed that the explosion damaged a vehicle.

Soldiers responded by opening fire at several "suspicious positions," the spokeswoman said, but was not initially familiar with any "hits."

Israeli troops shoot, injure Palestinian in northern Gaza

Published today (updated) 19/05/2014 16:27

(MaanImages/File)

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian man in northern Gaza on Monday in the second such incident in 24 hours, locals said.

Witnesses told Ma'an that a 20-year-old man was collecting stones to make concrete outside of Beit Hanoun near the Erez crossing when Israeli forces shot him.

The young man, who was not immediately identified, sustained moderate wounds.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said there were "dozens" of Palestinians gathered in an that area they were "not permitted" to enter near the border.

After calling on them to "distance themselves" and firing "warning shots into the air," soldiers fired at the lower extremities of one of the Palestinians, identifying a hit, the spokeswoman said.

On Sunday, Israeli forces shot a 21-year-old gravel worker in the same area.

Ashraf al-Qidra, Gaza's health ministry spokesman, said that the man was taken to Kamal Adwan Hospital in moderate condition.

Many people in the besieged coastal enclave collect small stones in order to make gravel for concrete, because the import of concrete is forbidden by the Israeli economic blockade, which had been in place since 2006.

Israeli forces frequently shoot at farmers and other civilians inside the Gaza Strip if they approach large swathes of land near the border that the Israeli military has deemed off-limits to Palestinians.

According to a March report by Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem, the number of live-fire casualties near the fence has been on the rise since late December.

"The military must also instruct the troops that the use of live fire is absolutely prohibited for the purpose of getting Palestinian civilians who pose no threat to anyone to back away from the areas near the perimeter fence."

Israeli forces shoot, injure Palestinian laborer in Gaza

An Israeli soldier aims his rifle in the West Bank village of Bilin on Nov. 30, 2007 (MaanImages/Medyan Dairieh)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces on Sunday shot and injured a Palestinian laborer near the border in the northern Gaza Strip, an official said.

Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesman for the Gaza Ministry of Health, told Ma'an that a "21-year-old gravel worker was shot in the foot by Israeli forces" near Erez crossing.

He was taken to Kamal Adwan Hospital in moderate condition, al-Qidra said.

The young man's name was not immediately provided.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said "there was a large group of people who came near the security fence" several times on Sunday.

"They came and left and came and left all day," she said.

Asked what the Palestinians were doing in the area, the spokeswoman said: "I can't give you that information."

After calling on the Palestinians to leave and "firing warning shots into the air," Israeli soldiers fired a man's lower extremities, identifying a hit.

The man was "slightly injured" and left the scene of his own accord, the spokeswoman said.

She said riot dispersal means such as tear gas and rubber-coated bullets were not used prior to firing live bullets.

Many people in the besieged coastal enclave collect small stones in order to make gravel for concrete, because the import of concrete is forbidden by the Israeli economic blockade. The blockade has been in force since 2006.

Israeli forces frequently shoot at farmers and other civilians inside the Gaza Strip if they approach large swathes of land near the border that the Israeli military has deemed off-limits to Palestinians.

According to a March report by Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem, the number of live-fire casualties near the fence has been on the rise since late December.

"The military must also instruct the troops that the use of live fire is absolutely prohibited for the purpose of getting Palestinian civilians who pose no threat to anyone to back away from the areas near the perimeter fence."

Israeli forces shoot teen near border in Gaza

Maan

Palestinian workers collect gravel near the border in the northern Gaza
Strip on October 28, 2010. (MaanImages/Jared Malsin)

 

GAZA CITY (AFP) -- Israeli troops shot and lightly wounded a Palestinian boy in the Gaza Strip Saturday, the health ministry said.

A 16-year-old youth was shot near the separation barrier with Israel in Khan Yunis, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said.

The Israeli army said troops had opened fire at a Palestinian who was approaching the separation barrier on foot.

Also on Saturday, a fisherman was shot by Israeli forces near the northern border.

Israeli soldiers shoot Palestinian near border in northern Gaza

Published yesterday (updated) 12/05/2014 11:22

 

(MaanImages/file)

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli troops shot and injured a Palestinian man in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, locals and an army spokeswoman said.

The man was collecting small stones used to make concrete on the outskirts of Beit Hanoun near Erez crossing when Israeli forces opened fire at him, locals said.

He was taken to Kamal Udwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya for treatment.

Many Gazans collect pebbles in order to make concrete as the Israeli economic blockade has prevented the import of civilian construction material, including concrete, since 2007.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said there were "a few suspects in the area" near Erez crossing who were "tampering with the ground."

The Palestinians were in a "buffer zone" area forbidden to Palestinians, she said.

After using "riot dispersal means" to no avail, Israeli soldiers fired at the Palestinians' lower extremities, "identifying a hit."

Asked if the Palestinians were threatening the soldiers in any way, the spokeswoman said: "The threat is trying to enter Israel."

She added that there was also the concern of explosive devices being planted in the area.

Israeli forces frequently shoot at farmers and other civilians inside the Gaza Strip if they approach large swathes of land near the border that the Israeli military has deemed off-limits to Palestinians.

The "security buffer zone" extends between 500 meters and 1500 meters into the Strip, effectively turning local farms into no-go zones.

According to UNOCHA, 17 percent of Gaza's total land area and 35 percent of its agricultural land were within the buffer zone as of 2010, directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of more than 100,000 Gazans.

The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by the State of Israel since 2006.

The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans.