Palestinian farmers, shepherds forced to leave fields by live Israeli fire

April 29, 2016 2:30 A.M. (Updated: April 29, 2016 2:30 A.M.)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Palestinian farmers and shepherds were forced to leave their fields after coming under live Israeli fire in eastern Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip early Friday, witnesses said.

Israeli forces deployed on the borderline in the Khuzaa and al-Fakhari area of eastern Khan Younis where they opened fire on farmers and shepherds working in their fields, witnesses told Ma’an. The farmers and shepherds left the area following the shooting. No injuries were reported. An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports on the incident. The Israeli army regularly opens fire on Palestinian fisherman and farmers along the border areas of the besieged enclave, despite a ceasefire agreement that ended Israel's 2014 offensive on the strip.The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has documented nearly 100 instances of Israeli forces opening fire on Palestinians in the military-enforced "buffer zone" between the besieged enclave and Israel, on both land and sea sides

Limited IOF Incursion East of Jabaliya

Al Mezan

5-4-2012

At approximately 12:05 pm on Thursday 5 April 2012, five Israeli tanks accompanied by two armored bulldozers moved under heavy covering fire into agricultural areas east of Jabaliya (around the Islamic Martyrs Cemetry and the Talet Sa’ada and Abu Safiya land plots).  The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired several artillery shells while operating in the agricultural areas.  The firing frightened workers at the sewage treatment pools under construction east of Jabaliya as well as farmers tending their lands, and forced them to leave the area.  Bulldozers leveled areas that have been frequently razed before.  At approximately 7:30 pm on the same day, the IOF withdrew from the area.  No casualties or injuries were reported.

PCHR weekly report 26/1 - 1/2/2012: 1 Palestinian birdhunter injured, 1 house damaged, 1 Palestinian civilian and 1 policeman abducted

extract from PCHR weekly report 26/1 - 1/2/2012

A Palestinian civilian was wounded by IOF in Gaza City.

IOF partially damaged a Palestinian house in Gaza City.

IOF arrested two Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Thursday, 26 January 2012






 
At approximately 09:15, IOF stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at farms and residential neighborhoods in the east of Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis.  Palestinian farmers were forced to flee their farms.  IOF continued the sporadic firing for approximately one hour.  Neither casualties nor damages to property were reported.

Friday, 27 January 2012

At approximately 21:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to in the east of al-Shujaiya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City fired two artillery shells at Palestinian houses.  One of the shells landed on a house belonging to Abdul Ra'ouf Hamed Mardi Hajjaj, 27.  The two-storey house which measures 180 square meters is located in al-Mansoura Street in al-Shujaiya neighborhood.  The shell opened a hole in the sealing of the kitchen in Hajjaj's house and caused slight damage to the contents of the house.  The other shell landed in a farm belonging to Hamed Mardi Hajjaj, 74. The farm which measures 700 square meters is adjacent to the house which was hit by the first shell.

It should be noted that the Palestinian police and explosive experts arrived at Hajjaj's house and opened investigations.  They took the shell from Hajjaj's house and told the Hajjaj family that the shell was fired by IOF.  

 Sunday, 29 January 2012 

At approximately 20:30, IOF, backed by military vehicles and apaches, moved into Gaza International Airport in the far southeast of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip amid indiscriminate firing.  IOF arrested Hajjaj Yousif Ehmeid al-Soufi, 21, who is a university student and Ahmed Hussein Awad Abu Athra, 20, who is a member of the Palestinian National Security Service.  Al-Soufi and Abu Athra are from al-Shouka village in the east of Rafah.

The family of al-Soufi reported that on Monday morning, 30 January 2012, they received a phone call from someone who introduced himself as a member of the Israeli Intelligence Service and who told them that IOF arrested al-Soufi and his friend Abu Athra and transferred them to Ashkelon Prison in Israel. According to the family of al-Soufi, the two men were walking to a house of a friend of theirs when they were arrested.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012

At approximately 11:00, IOF stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Shujaiya neighborhood, east of Gaza, opened fire at Munther Rashad Saleh al-Nakhala, 44. Al-Nakhalla sustained wounds by a bullet to the left foot as a result.  He was hunting birds with friends with his near the building of the Energy Authroity.  He was nearly 500 meters from the fence.  Eyewitnesses reported that IOF fired three bullets at bird hunters. 

Wednesday, 01 February 2012 

At approximately 22:30, IOF stationed at the border in the northeast of Beit Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip fired two artillery shells.  The shells landed on a land in the northeast of Beit Hanoun.

At approximately 22:40, IOF apaches opened intensive fire for 10 minutes at the northeast of Beit Hanoun.  Children and women in the area were in panic as a result.  No casualties were reported.

IOF Opens Heavy Fire at Palestinian Farmers East of Khan Younis

Al Mezan

26-1-2012

At approximately 9:20 am on Thursday 26 January 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened heavy fire at Palestinian farmers in the Al Faraheen and As-Senati areas east of Khan Younis.  No casualties or injuries were reported, but the residents were terrified and abandoned their farming activities.

IOF Uses Live Fire and Tear Gas Canisters against Peaceful Weekly Demonstration in Beit Hanoun

Al Mezan

4-1-2012

At approximately 11:30 am on Tuesday 24 January 2012, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened heavy fire with live ammunition and launched tens of tear gas canisters at a peaceful demonstration organized by the Local Initiative in Beit Hanoun.  The demonstrations are organized weekly to protest the imposition of the so-called “security buffer zone.”  Demonstrators were between 100 to 300 meters from the separation fence when the IOF opened fire on them.  No casualties or injuries were reported, but the demonstrators were choked by the tear gas.  This is not the first time that the IOF has attacked the peaceful weekly demonstration.

In his affidavit to Al Mezan, Saber Az-Zaneen, 33, one of the demonstration’s organizers, stated: “At around 10:30 am on Tuesday, 60 Palestinians, five international solidarity activists, 10 journalists, and members of the Local Initiative walked in a march from the Agricultural Secondary School to a point near the border about 100 meters away from the separation fence.  Israeli snipers who were in concrete watchtowers fired tear gas canisters at the protestors, so they headed to the south.  The situation was chaotic.  Demonstrators started to carry away others who were choking from inhaling tear gas.

 “The protestors moved alongside the separation fence about 150 meters to the east, to a spot near the old solid waste dump.  They stopped there and chanted against the security buffer zone, waving Palestinian and international flags.  Meanwhile, several Israeli soldiers descended from the watchtowers and opened fire directly at the demonstrators.  I could see bullets hitting the sand.  The demonstrators moved back.

 “The demonstrators continued to walk east, towards the Israeli military transmission tower, and stopped again at a point about 200 meters away from the separation fence.  I saw several military jeeps stop and a number of IOF soldiers got out and again opened fire directly at the demonstrators.  All of us left the area and then moved to the southeast.  We stopped at the Ash-Sha’fa area, about 250 meters away from the eastern separation fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel.  The demonstrators continued to chant against the buffer zone.

A number of Israeli military jeeps stopped before us.  Some soldiers got out of the jeeps and opened heavy fire with bullets and tear gas canisters directly at the demonstrators.  Many of the protesters were choking on the gas, so then we headed in groups to the south.

We approached the monument located southeast of Beit Hanoun.  The IOF, who we could see with our naked eyes, opened fire towards us again.  We went to the south and reached a point about 200 meters away from the eastern separation fence.  We had reached the outskirts of the Abu Safiya area, east of Jabaliya and southeast of Beit Hanoun.  The IOF continued its firing at us.  We had moved about 8,000 meters along the length of the separation fence.  We decided to leave the area at around 1:40 pm on the same day.”

This is the first time that the IOF has fired tear gas canisters at this demonstration, and the second time that the demonstrators have been forced to walk this great a distance retreating from IOF fire

PCHR weekly report 15/12 - 21/12/2011: 1 civilian dies trying to escape from gunfire, 1 worker shot and injured

extracts from PCHR weekly report 15/12 - 21/12/2011:

A Palestinian civilian was killed when he fell down from his bicycle as he was attempting to escape Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian civilian was wounded by Israeli gunfire in the northern Gaza Strip. 

Friday, 16 December 2011


At approximately 23:40, Israeli soldiers stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian agricultural land in the vicinity of sewage basins in the east of the camp.  Due to the intense shooting, the guard of basins, Majed Mahmoud al-Nabahin, 39, attempted to escape on motorcycle towards the west.  While he was driving the motorcycle, he fell down and died, as he suffered from hemorrhage. 

Tuesday, 20 December 2011







At approximately 16:20, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Beit Hanoun town opened fire at open areas to the east of al-Farta area, nearly 800 meters from the border.  No casualties were reported. 

At approximately 23:30, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Beit Hanoun town opened fire at open areas to the east of al-Boura area, nearly 700 meters from the border.  No casualties were reported.

Wednesday, 21 December 2011




At approximately 09:30, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at a number of Palestinian civilians who were collecting wood, iron and scraps of construction materials in Hammouda area in the northern Gaza Strip.  As a result, Hamza Jamal Barakat, 19, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City, was wounded by two bullets to the left shoulder and foot.  

  

PCHR weekly report 20/10 - 26/10/2011: shooting against workers

extracts from PCHR weekly report 20/10 - 26/10/2011:

IOF fired at Palestinian workers collecting scraps of construction materials in the northern Gaza Strip. 

 Sunday, 23 October 2011

At approximately 17:30, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials from the industrial zone to the southwest of the crossing. The workers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported.

Monday, 24 October 2011



At approximately 10:45, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials from the industrial zone to the southwest of the crossing. The workers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported.
  

PCHR weekly report 6/10 - 12/10/2011: attacks against farmers, 2 incursions

extracts from PCHR weekly report 6/10 - 12/10/2011:

A Palestinian civilian died of wounds he had sustained in the Gaza Strip in 2003. 

IOF have continued to fire at Palestinian fishermen and farmers in the Gaza Strip.

 In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted a limited incursion into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian agricultural land.

Thursday, 06 October 2011 


At approximately 07:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into Bourat Abu Samra area in the north of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. They leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed, amidst sporadic shooting. At approximately 08:00, they moved eastwards and stationed opposite to the Bedouin Village. They also leveled areas of land there. At approximately 15:00, IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Saturday, 08 October 2011


At approximately 05:30, IOF stationed on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beit Lahia town opened fire at Palestinian farmers who were on their farms. The farmers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported. 

At approximately 07:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers who were on their farms in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. The farmers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported.  

At approximately 16:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. The farmers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported. 

Sunday, 09 October 2011


 

At approximately 07:00, IOF positioned on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers who where on their farms in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. The farmers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 16:30, IOF positioned on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers who where on their farms in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. The farmers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported.

Monday, 03 October 2011

 
At approximately 08:35, IOF positioned on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers who where on their farms in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. The farmers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian agricultural land, which they had already razed. 

IOF soldiers open fire at Palestinian houses in central Gaza

[ 12/09/2011 - 09:19 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stationed to the east of the Gaza Strip opened machine gunfire at Palestinian homes in Juhr Al-Dik in central Gaza on Monday morning with no casualties reported, eyewitnesses said. They said that the soldiers suddenly opened fire for ten minutes at the citizens' homes and nearby land lots. The machinegun fire damaged one of the houses that is 320 meters away from the border fence, the witnesses noted, adding that the house was riddled with bullets. A number of inhabitants and farmers evacuated the targeted areas fearing for their lives. Meanwhile, in the West Bank IOF soldiers stormed a village to the east of Bethlehem and handed a summons to one of its inhabitants after searching his home.

PCHR weekly report 19/5 - 25/5/2011:

extracts from PCHR weekly report 19/5 - 25/5/2011:

A number of Palestinian evacuate Ramadan al-Daghma who was wounded by Israeli force during a peaceful demonstration in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis, 20 May 2011

 A Palestinian civilian was killed by IOF near the border in the central Gaza Strip.

-A Palestinian civilian was wounded in the east of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. 

 IOF continued to target Palestinian farmers in border areas in the northern Gaza Strip. -IOF fired at Palestinian farmers in two separate incidents, but no casualties were reported.




Friday, 20 May 2011


At approximately 11:30, IOF positioning at the border to the east of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip opened fire at points close to dozens of Palestinians participating in a peaceful demonstration. They demonstrators were walking towards the border in the east of Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. Ramadan Mohammed Khalil al-Daghma, 47, who was participating in the demonstration sustained shrapnel wounds in the legs as a result. Al-Daghma was transferred to the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Yunis for medical treatment.

Saturday, 21 May 2011


At approximately 03:00, IOF positioned at the border to the east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip fired two artillery shells and bullets at Ibrahim Mohammed Ali Faraj Allah, 19, from al-Nussairat refugee camp. Faraj Allah was killed as a result. 

Following coordination done by the International committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a medical crew from the Palestine Red Crescent Society managed to evacuate the body of Faraj Allah.

Awni Khattab, 48, a paramedic who participated in evacuation of the body, reported that the body was only one meter from the border fence and that dogs ate parts of the abdomen and thigh as Faraj Allah was killed at dawn and his body was evacuated at approximately 16:00 on the same day. He said that it took them nearly three hours to find the body and that the body was dissolute.

A resident from the area reported that in on Saturday morning, 21 May 2011, he heard two artillery shells. Ten minutes later, he heard intensive firing of bullets. The father of the dead person said that he called his son at approximately 01:30 on Saturday, 21 May, and that his brother Adel called him. Ibrahim told them that he was near the border fence. They tried to call him later, but he did not answer so they reported it to the police. 


Tuesday, 24 May 2011 


At approximately 13:35, IOF positioned at the border to the north of Shurrab farm, northeast of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian farmers who were in their farms, nearly 650 meters from the border. Farmers were forced to flee in fear for their lives. Neither casualties nor damages to property were reported. 

Wednesday, 25 May 2011

At approximately 11:20, IOF positioned on observation towers along the border in the east of Beit Hanoun tonw in the north of the Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian farmers in their farms in the east of al-Qurman Street, al-Naayma Street and al-Masreyen Street in the east of Beit Hanoun. Farmers were forced to flee in fear for their lives. Neither casualties nor damages to property were reported.

PCHR weekly report 14/4 - 20/4/2011: 1 civilian killed of previous wounds, airstrike, destruction of infrastracture

extracts from PCHR weekly report 14/4 - 20/4/2011:

A Palestinian civilian from the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah died of his wounds. 

IOF bombarded a training site of the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, and a nearby school and to residential houses were damaged.


IOF continued to target Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in border areas in the Gaza Strip
 - IOF opened fire at Palestinian farmers and fishermen in the northern Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported.

In the Gaza Strip, on 14 April 2011, medical sources at Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, announced that Mahdi Jumaa Abu Athreh, 22, from al-Shouka village in the southeast of Rafah, died of his wounds. According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 08:00 on Friday, 08 April 2011, IOF fired two artillery shells at the vicinity of Gaza International Airport. Four Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded as a result. Medical sources at Abu Yousif al-Najjar hospital described the wounds of two of them, including Abu Athreh, to be serious.

On 16 April 2011, an IOF warplane fired a missile at Tunis training site which is used by members of the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, and which is adjacent to Tunis Primary School in the east of al-Zaytoon neighborhood, east OF Gaza city.  The windows of the school crashed as a result.

On 17 April 2011, IOF positioned in observation towers along the border in the east of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian farmers who were on their farms in the east of Beit Hanoun. Palestinian farmers escaped in fear for their lives. 

[...]

Thursday, 14 April 2011 

At approximately 10:00, medical sources at Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern the Gaza Strip, announced that Mahdi Jumaa Abu Athreh, 22, from al-Shokeh village in the southeast of Rafah, died of his wounds. According to PCHR investigations, at approximately 08:00 on Friday, 08 April 2011, IOF fired two artillery shells at the vicinity of Gaza International Airport. Four Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded as a result. Medical sources at Abu Yousif al-Najjar hospital described the wounds of two of them, including Abu Athreh, to be serious.

Saturday, 16 April 2011

At approximately 01:10, an IOF warplane fired a missile at Tunis training site which is used by members of the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, and which is adjacent to Tunis Primary School in the east of al-Zaytoon neighborhood in the east of Gaza city. The windows of the school crashed as a result.

Sunday, 17 April 2011

At approximately 09:40, IOF positioned on observation towers along the border in the east of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian farmers who were in their farms in the east of al-Qurman street, al-Naayma street and al-Masreyen street in the east of Beit Hanoun. Palestinian farmers escaped in fear for their lives and no casualties or damages were reported. 

 

PCHR weekly report 24/3 - 30/3/2011: 2 incursions, 1 artillery attack

extracts from PCHR weekly report  24/3 - 30/3/2011:

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted two limited incursion into Palestinian areas, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.

Thursday, 24 March 2011 


Also at approximately 20:25, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east and north of the northern Gaza Strip fired a number of artillery shells at Palestinian areas. IOF fired at least 5 shells. No casualties were reported, but Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified. 


Tuesday, 29 March 2011 


At approximately 08:30, IOF move nearly 200 meters into al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of Palestinian land near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Wednesday, 30 March 2011 


At approximately 10:30, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into Bourat Abu Samra area in the north of the northern Gaza Strip of Beit Lahia. They opened fire and leveled areas of land, which they had already razed. Palestinian farmers were forced to leave the area. At approximately 15:30, IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

PCHR weekly report 24/2 - 2/3/2011: 1 worker killed, 1 worker and 1 farmer injured, airstrikes, destruction of buildings, 3 incursions

extracts from PCHR weekly report 24/2 - 2/3/2011:

· A Palestinian worker and a resistance activist were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.

· IOF launched a series of air strikes against civilian targets in the Gaza Strip.

- 4 houses were destroyed and 14 others were damaged.

- 11 civilian establishments were destroyed or heavily damaged, a security building was destroyed and a mosque was damaged.

· IOF continued to target Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in border areas in the Gaza Strip.

- A Palestinian worker and a farmer were wounded.

On 01 March 2011, a Palestinian farmer was wounded when IOF fired an artillery shell at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance in the central Gaza Strip.

 In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 3 limited incursions into the southern and central Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land. 

Thursday, 24 February 2011

At approximately 04:10, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a yard in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. As a result, a house belonging to Hassam Mahmoud Hamad was destroyed, and another house belonging to Ashraf Hassan Abu Rezeq was heavily damaged. Hamad's son stated to PCHR that he had received a phone call from a person who introduced himself as an officer of the Israeli intelligence. The officer order him to evacuate the house, because it would be bombarded, and the family did.

Saturday, 26 February 2011

At approximately 03:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile a 100-square-meter resort belonging to 'Emad al-Din Mohammed 'Aaqel, 38, in al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The resort was completely destroyed. Additionally, 8 houses and a bird farm were damaged:

1. A 120-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Nasser 'Abdul Karim 'Ammar, whose 17-year-old child, Hanin, was also injured;
2. A 200-square-meter, 3-storey house belonging to Miriam Hamad Abu Marahil;
3. A 330-square-meter, 3-storey house belonging to 'Omar Hammad Abu Marahil;
4. A 100-square-meter belonging to Khaled Sha'ban al-Mabhouh;
5. A 120-square-meter house belonging to Yousef 'Abdullah Abu Shu'aib;
6. A 70-square-meter house belonging to 'Adnan 'Abdul Karim 'Eissa;
7. A 165-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Ussama Mahmoud al-Krunz;
8. A 120-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Mohammed 'Abdul Rahman Noufal; and
9. A 150-square-meter bird farm and a room belonging to Jabri Khaled al-'Aalem. 

 At approximately 11:30, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beit Lahia town fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials from destroyed buildings. As a result, Khaled Mohammed al-Hossoumi, 37, from Beit Lahia, was wounded by a bullet to the right leg, when he was nearly 300 meters away from the border. 

At approximately 15:30, an Israeli warplane fired two missiles at two house belonging to Ahmed and Hatem 'Eid Abu Shareb in the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The two houses and a barrack of animals were destroyed and a neighboring house was damaged. According to Ahmed Abu Shareb, he received a phone call at approximately 15:00 from a person who introduced himself as an Israeli military officer. He ordered Abu Shareb to evacuate his house because it would be bombarded, so he evacuated his house and his brother's house and informed the neighbors. Ten minutes later, the officer phoned again to make sure that the house was evacuated.  The damages to nearby civilian property were:

1. A 200-square-meter house belonging to Mohammed 'Eid Abu Shareb was damaged; and
2. A barrack of animals belonging to Hassan 'Abdul Karim al-Nabahin ws heavily damaged.

 Monday, 28 February 2011

At approximately 09:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired 3 artillery shells at Gaza International Airport in the southeast of Rafah. Two shells hit destroyed buildings in the airport. As a result, a member of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) was wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen and the thighs. The third shell hit a 100-square-meter house belonging to Hanan 'Abdul Qader Abu Jarad, in which 5 people live, who was not at home then. The house was completely destroyed.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli soldiers positioned on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beit Lahia town fired at a Palestinian worker, 20-year-old 'Omar 'Arafa Ma'rouf, who was collecting scraps of construction materials from a site where the evacuated Israeli settlement of "Elli Sinai" used to stand. Ma'rouf was nearly 300 meters away from the border. He was wounded by a bullet to the left side. At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into the area. At approximately 12:00, IOF informed the Palestinian side that they would deliver the body of a dead Palestinian at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. At approximately 13:35, the body was delivered to a Palestinian ambulance. 

At approximately 14:40, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired an artillery shell at an open area in the east of Jabalya town. The shell landed nearly 700 meters away from the border. Palestinian farmer working on their agricultural lands in the area were forced to leave their lands. No casualties were reported.

Tuesday, 01 March 2011

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into the east of Khuza'a village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian land. This incursion continued until 17:00. No casualties were reported.  

At approximately 13:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into Khuza'a village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian land. This incursion continued until 16:00. No casualties were reported. 

At approximately 15:30, IOF positioned at border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at a number of Palestinian resistance activists in the east of Deir al-Balah town in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, Rami Saleh Abu Mussa'ed, 22, was wounded by shrapnel to the right side. 

 Wednesday, 02 March 2011

 At approximately 15:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers in the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. No casualties were reported. 

At approximately 17:20, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers in the northeast of Beit Hanoun town. No casualties were reported. 

IOF Fired an Artillery Shell East of Jabalia

28-2-2011

Al Mezan

At approximately 2:40pm on Monday 28 February 2011, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired an artillery shell at the agricultural area north of the Islamic Martyrs cemetery, east of Jabalia town. No casualties or injuries were reported but it scared farmers and they abandoned the area without finishing their farming activities.

IOF Injure Palestinian Civilians Collecting Scrap North of Beit Lahyia Town

26-2-2011

Al Mezan

At approximately 11:40am on Saturday 26 February 2011, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) opened fire at a group of Palestinian civilians who were collecting scrap and rubble from the destroyed structures near the border fence between Gaza and Israel. The group was about 300 meters from the border fence near the evacuated settlement Eli Sinai northwest of Beit Lahyia, in the North Gaza district, when IOF fired at them. As a result, Khalid Mohammed Mustafa Al Hsoumi, 36, was injured in the right leg, causing a fracture in it. Medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital described his injuries as severe. Other civilians in who were the area were terrified and left their work.

IOF Fires at Palestinian Farmers North of Beit Lahiya

12-2-2011

Al Mezan

At approximately 12:40pm on Saturday 12 February 2011, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) opened fire at Palestinian farmers who were in their fields near the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel, north of Beit Lahiya. No casualties or injuries were reported, but farmers were terrified and abandoned their farms.

IOF Open Fire at Palestinian Farmers East of Beit Hanoun

7-2-2011

Al Mezan

At approximately 7:50am on Monday 7 February 2011, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) opened fire at Palestinian farmers who were in their field near the separation fence between Gaza Strip and Israel. The farmers were in the Al Qatbaniya area, east of Beit Hanoun, when IOF opened fire at them. No casualties or injuries were reported, but farmers were terrified and abandoned their farms.

International Day of Solidarity in Gaza greeted with bullets in Beit Hanoun

Posted on: December 2, 2010

1 December 2010 | International Solidarity Movement, Gaza

Live bullets were fired from snipers at an Erez control tower within a metre of demonstrators on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Tuesday morning in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza. A German activist Vera Macht was injured as she stumbled while running for cover. The Local Initiative of Beit Hanoun organized the demonstration international mural and with extra attention focusing on the growing international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel for its ongoing human rights violations of the Palestinian people. The demonstration was held in the area where 6 farmers and rock collectors, including 2 children had been shot and injured over the previous 2 days, seeing an escalation of violence against civilians from the Israeli Occupation Forces.

It was actually the United Nations General Assembly who in 1977 called for this annual observance of 29th November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. It was on that day, in 1947, that the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine resolution 181, which began the horrific trend of violent land expropriation and expulsion of the Palestinian population. Over two thirds of Gazans are UN registered refugees from this period.

Tuesday morning 30 people, amongst them 5 internationals from the International Solidarity Movement as well as Mavi Marmara survivor Ken O’Keefe and Irish Activist Cormac O’Daly, gathered in Beit Hanoun at approximately 800m from Erez Crossing. Opposite the remains of the destroyed Agricultural College, which was bombed during the war on Gaza, the demonstrators put up a wall of slogans and international and Palestinian flags to express solidarity. All demonstrators held up letters forming the slogan “Boycott Israel boycott!”, before marching down towards the Erez Wall.

They were also protesting their right to their land, much of which is now lost or out of bounds by the Israeli imposed “buffer-zone.” The buffer-zone, extended to 300 metres wide in December 2009, stretches along the entire border fence on the frontier with Israel. According to a recent UN report the violence used to restrict Palestinians from accessing their land actually covers areas up to 1500m from the border fence, meaning that over 35% of Gaza’s most agricultural land is in a high risk area causing severe losses of food production and livelihoods.

As the demonstrators neared to within 100 metres of the wall, chanting and waving flags it was clear one of the watch towers was open, evidently monitoring. The barren waste land all around was a result of the forced neglect as they marched into a place that has been made out of bounds by the threat of Israel snipers and shelling. As a soldier shouted from the tower, the group decided to walk back towards the village center. At around 500 metres from the fence, IOF snipers opened fire at them, the first few shots at head height missing many of the people on the march by a metre or less. Afterwards, another ten shots were fired.

According to Local Initiative organiser Saber Al Za’anin the day highlights the responsibility of international civil society to exert pressure to end the violent siege and occupation of Palestinian lands: “It is vital that Internationals support the Palestinian cause and make the world understand the horrific occupation and attacks Palestinians live under day in day out. The international grass roots boycotts are saying no to Israeli violence and oppression and its time that the International governing community did the same to hold Israel to account for their crimes. We painted flags of countries from around the world on a mural and demonstrated. Now its time for the world to increase the power of their demonstrations, lobbying, festivals, legal work and boycotts to finally end the conflict.”

On the violence at the borders, demonstration participant Ken O’Keefe said: “When people are shot and killed for collecting rocks so they can be crushed and turned into powder and ultimately into cement, because cement is banned under the Israeli siege, you know the so-called “easing” of the siege is a farce. The siege must be smashed into oblivion, and the only people who will make that happen are people of conscience who are willing to act.”

Released on Wednesday was a report ‘Dashed Hopes, Continuation of the Gaza Blockade’ signed by over 21 international organizations including Amnesty, Oxfam, Save the Children, Christian Aid and Medical Aid for Palestinians. It calls for international action for Israel to unconditionally lift the blockade, stating that the devastation of Palestinian life under the Israeli blockade continues unabated.

63 years before the day of the demonstration, On 29 November, 1947, the UN General Assembly voted for Resolution 181 for the partition of Palestine into two states and envisaged a Special International Regime for the City of Jerusalem. It was this plan that triggered the ongoing suffering for the Palestinians given the hugely unequal partition of the land.

According to Israeli Historian Ilan Pappe, “The injustice was as striking then as it appears now… the Jews, who owned less than six per cent of the total land area of Palestine and constituted no more than one third of the population, were handed more than half of its overall territory”

According to Pappe, from the beginning the major global institutions and power-brokers were pitted against them: “The Palestinians were at the mercy of an international organization [the United Nations] that appeared ready to ignore all the rules of international mediation, which its own charter endorsed…One does not have to be a great jurist or legal mind to predict how the international court would have ruled on forcing a solution on a country to which the majority of its people were vehemently opposed.”

Then after the resolution partition came the Nakba or ‘Catastrophe’ during which the nascent Israeli army forcibly annexed even more land. Israel controlled 78% of the land held for a prospective Israeli State, leaving behind the West Bank and Gaza. During these attacks which began in March 1948 and included massacres such as Deir Yassin village, close to 800,000 Palestinians were uprooted, 531 villages were destroyed, and eleven urban neighbourhoods emptied of their inhabitants. With the ‘slow motion ethnic cleaning’ that has ensued ever since, Israel has now settled over 60% of the 22% of historic Palestine and militarily occupies the rest. [1]

[1] Pappe, I. The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine (2006), One World Publications, Oxford
Updated on December 2, 2010

Israelis shoot at demonstrators in Gaza - Ken O'Keefe, Beit Hanoun, Gaza 29-11-10

IOF Opens Fire at Palestinian Farmers East Beit Hanoun

29-11-2010

Al Mezan

At approximately 10:30am on Monday 29 November 2010, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) opened heavy fire at Palestinian farmers who were in their fields east of Beit Hanoun town near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel.No causalities or injuries were reported but farmers were scared and abandoned their work.