Friday, April 22, 2011

Medics: Farmer shot in northern Gaza

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A farmer was hospitalized Thursday after Israeli soldiers shot him as he worked on his land in northern Gaza, medics said.

The 45-year-old man was shot in his stomach in the Abu Safieyah area of Beit Lahiya and transferred to the Kamal Adwan Hospital, medical services spokesman Adham Abu Salmiya said.

Abu Salmiya added that Israeli soldiers opened fire on residents of Beit Lahiya almost daily.

Israel unilaterally imposes a no-go zone along the border inside the Gaza Strip, and soldiers frequently shoot at Palestinians inside the area.

In Oxfam's latest report, the international organization said "In practice, Israel restricts access to agricultural land up to 1,000-1,500 metres from the fence, which accounts for more than 30% of Gaza's agricultural land and a significant number of water wells. Most of the Gaza Strip's animal production is also concentrated in this area."