Published yesterday (updated) 29/09/2014 18:24
(MaanImages/File)
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A
Palestinian farmer was shot and injured by Israeli forces in the
northern Gaza Strip late Sunday, medics and an army spokeswoman said.
Medical sources told Ma'an that Rajab Maarouf, 22, was shot in the foot in northern Beit Lahiya and taken to Kamal Adwan hospital with moderate injuries.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the shooting, saying "there were two suspects that approached the security fence" in the area.
Soldiers fired "warning shots in the air and at the lower extremities and then the suspects moved away," the spokeswoman said.
She said she could not provide information about whether hits were confirmed, what the Palestinians were doing in the area, or whether they posed a threat to Israeli forces.
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza ended a 50-day war on the Strip on Aug. 26.
The Israeli security buffer zone around Gaza was meant to be reduced following the agreement, with farmers initially reporting that they were able to access their fields 100 meters from the border fence.
Before Operation Protective Edge, Israeli forces routinely opened fire on those who entered the buffer zone, which ranged from 500-1,500 meters from the border and encompassed 17 percent of Gaza's total land area.
Since the signing of the agreement, Israeli forces have also repeatedly opened fire at and arrested Gaza fishermen.
Medical sources told Ma'an that Rajab Maarouf, 22, was shot in the foot in northern Beit Lahiya and taken to Kamal Adwan hospital with moderate injuries.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the shooting, saying "there were two suspects that approached the security fence" in the area.
Soldiers fired "warning shots in the air and at the lower extremities and then the suspects moved away," the spokeswoman said.
She said she could not provide information about whether hits were confirmed, what the Palestinians were doing in the area, or whether they posed a threat to Israeli forces.
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza ended a 50-day war on the Strip on Aug. 26.
The Israeli security buffer zone around Gaza was meant to be reduced following the agreement, with farmers initially reporting that they were able to access their fields 100 meters from the border fence.
Before Operation Protective Edge, Israeli forces routinely opened fire on those who entered the buffer zone, which ranged from 500-1,500 meters from the border and encompassed 17 percent of Gaza's total land area.
Since the signing of the agreement, Israeli forces have also repeatedly opened fire at and arrested Gaza fishermen.
