Thursday, May 30, 2013

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.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire towards Fishermen West of Beit Lahyia

Al Mezan

29-5-2013

On Wednesday, 29th May 2013, at approximately 7:30 pm, Israeli naval vessels began firing sporadically towards Palestinian fishing boats, northwest of Al Waha resort, west of Beit Lahyia. The firing lasted for two hours, and no casualties or injuries were reported.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire towards Fishermen West of Wadi Gaza Village

Al Mezan

28-5-2013

On Wednesday, 28th May 2013, at approximately 12:00 pm, Israeli naval vessels began firing sporadically at a distance of five nautical miles towards Palestinian fishing boats, west of Gaza’s Valley. No casualties or injuries were reported.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire towards Fishermen West of Gaza

Al Mezan

27-5-2013

On Monday, 27th May 2013, at approximately 7:00 pm, Israeli naval vessels began firing sporadically at a distance of five nautical miles towards Palestinian fishing boats, west of Gaza’s fishermen port, west of Gaza City. No casualties or injuries were reported.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Fishermen West of Beit Lahyia

Al Mezan

27-5-2013

On Monday, 27 May 2013, at approximately 6:00am, Israeli naval vessels began firing sporadically towards Palestinians fishing boats, northwest of Al Waha resort, west of Beit Lahyia. No causalities or injuries were reported.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire towards fishermen North of Gaza City

Al Mezan

25-5-2013

On Saturday, 25th May 2013, at approximately 7:20 pm, Israeli naval vessels began firing Sporadically toward Palestinian fishing boats northwest of Al Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahyia

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Israeli Forces Open Fire at Fishermen Northwest of Beit Lahyia

Al Mezan

23-5-2013

On Wednesday morning, 22nd May 2013, at approximately 6:30 am, Israeli naval vessels fired towards Palestinian fishing boats northwest of Al Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahyia. No causalities or injuries were reported.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire towards fishermen west of Beit Lahyia

Al Mezan

23-5-2013

On Thursday, 23rd May 2013, at approximately 9:15 pm, Israeli naval vessels began firing Sporadically toward Palestinian fishing boats northwest of Al Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahyia. No casualties or injuries were reported.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Israeli Forces Shell Boats North of Gaza City

Al Mezan

22-5-2013

On Wednesday morning, 22nd May 2013, at approximately 2:00 am, Israeli warships shelled Palestinian fishing boats northwest of Al Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahyia. No causalities or injuries were reported.

Israeli Forces Open Fire at Fishermen West of Gaza

Al Mezan

22-5-2013

On Wednesday, 22nd May 2013, at approximately 4:00 am, Israeli naval vessels began firing sporadically at a distance of five nautical miles towards Palestinians fishing boats, west of Al Sheikh Ejleen area, southwest of Gaza City. Israeli boats used heavy water blasts towards fishermen. As a result, one boat was partially sunk, four flashlights as well as two electronic motors were damaged all belong to Marwan Awad Al Sa’edi, 52.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Israeli Forces Open Fire at Fishermen West of Gaza City

Al Mezan

21-5-2013

On Tuesday, 21st May 2013, at approximately 1:00 pm, Israeli naval vessels began firing sporadically at a distance of six nautical miles towards Palestinian fishing boat “ Flouka”, which is a boat fixed in the middle of the sea covered in lights in order to attract fish, west of Al shati’ Camp, west of Gaza City.
According to Ibrahim Abed al Latif Bakir affidavit, on the same date, “while I was with eleven fishermen on board our fishing boat “Lanch”, heading to the “Flouka” boat one kilometer far from our boat, the Israeli vessels began sporadically firing towards us for a few minutes, and then they headed northward. He added, when we reached the Flouka, I asked my brother Rami to examine the damage, where he found four lights and an electronic motor were destroyed. After half an hour, we saw the Israeli vessel approaching us, stopped at a distance of 5 meters away from our boat, and used heavy water power used towards our boat, which lasted for ten minutes, then the Israeli vessel moved northward.”

Monday, May 20, 2013

Israeli Forces Open Fire at Fishermen Northwest of Beit Lahyia

Al Mezan

20-5-2013

On Monday, 20th May 2013, at approximately 7:00 pm, Israeli naval vessels began firing sporadically towards Palestinians fishing boats, northwest of Al Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahyia. No causalities or injuries were reported. According to Al Mezan documentations, the Israeli forces unjustified acts of firing, arresting and destroying fishermen’s fishing nets still continue at a distance of three nautical miles, however, the designated fishing zone as declared by Israeli authorities should allow fishermen to work at a distance of six nautical miles.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Israeli Forces Target and Arrest Fishermen North of Gaza City

Al Mezan

19-5-2013

On Sunday, May 19th 2013, at approximately 8:30 am, Israeli Naval vessels began firing sporadically towards Palestinian fishing boats working west of Al Waha resort. According to Al Mezan documentation, the Israeli forces then arrested Mahmoud Mohammad Zayd, 27, and Khalid Mohammed Zayd, 25, and confiscated their boat. The men remain held by Israeli forces in an unknown location. Both fishermen are residents of Beit Lahyia in north Gaza.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Adel Baker, a fisherman from Gaza, now fighting for his life in hospital

 from ISM webpage

13th May 2013 | International Action for Palestine | Gaza, Occupied Palestine

By Rosa Schiano

On May 1st many countries celebrate the achievement of workers on Labor Day weekend. In Gaza too, workers celebrated labour day in a demonstration in the centre of Gaza City. Yet, for the Palestinian fishermen there was nothing to celebrate.
kj
Hospital report (Photo by Rosa Schiano)
In the early hours of Wednesday morning on May 1st 2013, a Palestinian fisherman was seriously injured when Israeli naval vessels off the coast of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were within 3 nautical miles of the Gaza coast.During the attack, a piece of the engine that is used to pull in the nets, smashed into the head of 51 year old Karim Adel Al Baker from Gaza City, leaving him seriously injured.
Adel Najjar Baker was transported to the hospital and then to the European Hospital in Khan Younis. We headed to the hospital to check on his condition.Adel is in the Intensive care unit. A document in the hospital room reads,“Time of admission: 5am”We spoke with Dr. Yasser AlKhaldi, head of the Intensive Care Unit of the European hospital. Dr. AlKhadi told us that Adel has suffered a serious head injury and that he had arrived at the hospital unconscious.The doctor added that Adel has undergone surgery to relieve the pressure from the bone fragments from the skull and that he was now under artificial ventilation.
Adel has suffered a depressed skull fracture (a depressed skull fracture is a break to the bone of the skull with depression caused by the bone going into the brain).Dr. AlKhaldi added that there was an improvement to the condition of Adel and they have started to reduce the sedatives.
During the visit we met Aatef Baker’s brother Adel. “Adel was on a fishing boat together with eleven fishermen. While he was fishing, the Israeli navy opened fire, a bullet hit an object on the boat, it fell on his head, causing the trauma. We were near the border with Egypt, 2 miles from the coast. “, said Aatef.We left the hospital and took the contacts of Dr. Adel AlKhaldi and family in order to be updated on his condition.
I felt a sense of helplessness and anguish, but at the same time I was hoping with all my might that Adel was strong enough to survive, that he would be strong enough this time.
Karim Adel Al Baker, 51, in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (Photo by Rosa Schiano)
Karim Adel Al Baker, 51, in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (Photo by Rosa Schiano)
The next day we went to visit the family of Adel in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City.
Adel has 7 daughters and 2 sons, one of whom is a fisherman. A cousin of Adel, Mostafa Baker, told us that perhaps they would later evaluate the possibility of a transfer to another hospital.
The house was full of women and children and they occasionally fixed their eyes on us.
“The entire family gathered here because we’re waiting for news. Adel’s brother is coming back from the hospital”, said Mostafa.
“The attacks and arrests affect our lives. With no fish we have no money,” exclaimed a woman of the family Um Eid Baker, adding, “remember when our fathers were able to reach 12 miles from the coast.”
Adel Baker worked for 30 years as a fisherman, and was the only person in the family to have a job, his family has no other sources of income.
“This is the normally the best season for fishermen” said Mostafa, “the major season for sardines.” The family then specified that the fishermen, because of the limit of the 3 nautical miles from the coast, are forced to go to Rafah in order to fish, and even enter Egyptian waters, a move that involves great expense especially for fuel.
During our conversation, Aatef, the brother of Adel, returned from the hospital carrying the hospital report.
The hospital report specified that Baker and Adel was transferred from Al Najjar to the European hospital, having suffered a head injury and damage to the brain. It indicates the need for surgery and treatment. In addition, the report specifies: “Al Aqsa conditions”, an expression which is used to define someone injured or a victim of Israeli aggression.
Then we met Sobeh El-Hessi, a fisherman who was on board the vessel along with Adel Baker, as well as the manager of the vessel.
“We were fishing the waters on the border between Egypt and Palestinian waters. At 2 am the Israeli navy started shooting, we were about 2 nautical miles from the coast,” he began to tell Sobeh. “We tried to hide from the bullets. Then when soldiers stopped shooting, we saw the body of Adel Baker lying on the floor and we thought he’d been hit by a bullet wound to the head. Then we realized that it was not a bullet, but a heavy object that is part of the engine, and Adel had a large wound to the head. I called the Union of the fishermen to communicate that someone was wounded and asked for an ambulance. Adel A Hasaka was carried to the beach and the ambulance was ready to take him to hospital, it was about 3 in the morning, “, Sobeh told us.
The fishermen had entered Egyptian waters and were returning to Palestinian waters when the attack happened.
The next day the fishermen did not go fishing.
Sobeh told us also with concern about the recent Israeli attacks with water cannons. The attacks are happening in fact even at a distance of 10 metres between the fishing vessels and the Israeli military.
Just over a year ago a fisherman was killed by a short circuit as a result of an Israeli attack with a water cannon.
The Israeli army directs their high pressure water cannons directly at the power supply, they shoot at networks, the engine, thus causing accidents. There is also the danger of electric shock or heavy machinery collisions such that with Adel.
“Fishermen can see the fish beyond three miles, but can not pass through them,” said Sobeh as he described the living conditions of the fishermen of Gaza.
“When the Israeli soldiers shoot we escape, but we can not support our families. These last few days have been tough. Prior to the war the Israeli attacks occurred at a greater distance, but after the war the Navy began to get very close and soldiers are shooting more than usual, “says Sobeh.
The eyes of Sobeh el Hessi are sad, frightened, but also angry about what happened to Adel.
In Gaza, going fishing now means going to face an army.
As reported consistently by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, the Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen constitute a violation of international humanitarian law. Notably this is covered in article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Not to mention the right to work and the right to a life with dignity.
Indiscriminate attacks against civilians constitute war crimes.
Israel has progressively imposed restrictions on Palestinian fishermen’s access to the sea. The 20 nautical miles established under the agreements of Jericho in 1994 between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), were reduced to 12 miles under the Bertini Agreement in 2002. In 2006, the area permitted for Palestinian fishing was reduced to 6 nautical miles from the coast. Following the Israeli military offensive “Cast Lead” (2008-2009) Israel imposed a limit of 3 nautical miles from the coast, preventing the Palestinians access to 85% of the water to which they are entitled according to the agreements of Jericho 1994.
The agreements reached between Israel and the Palestinian resistance after the Israeli military offensive in November 2012, “Pillar of Defense,” allowed Gazan fishermen back out to 6 nautical miles from the coast. Despite these agreements, the Israeli navy has not stopped attacks on Gaza fishermen, even within this limit. In March 2013, Israel imposed once again the 3 nautical mile limit, saying that the decision had been taken following the sending of some Palestinian rockets towards Israel.
In Gaza, there are currently about 4,000 registered fishermen, while in 2000 there were about 10,000. In the last ten years, the numbers have declined since Israel began to impose restrictions on access to the sea and used violence to enforce them, arrests and more attacks, forcing fishermen to abandon their work and deny them the only source of livelihood for their families. Many fishermen, with courage and determination, continue to risk their life in order to support their families.
At the time of writing, the conditions of Adel Baker have slightly improved, but he is still unconscious in the ICU. While Adel Baker fights on in the hospital, many fishermen are at sea facing the daily risk of new attacks. It is inevitable, given this barbarity that another one of them will soon be facing a similar fight just like Adel is right now.
While the international community remains in horrible silence, our thoughts and our hearts are on the side of these brave men.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire towards fishermen in North Gaza

Al Mezan

13-5-2013

On Monday 13 May 2013, at approximately 9:40 pm, Israeli naval vessels began firing sporadically toward Palestinian fishing boats northwest of Al Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahyia. The Israeli attack caused damage to  fishing nets,which belong to Rami Mahmoud Zedan and Nafeth Tysir al Bardwil. The firing lasted for one hour and no casualties or injuries were reported.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Israeli navy gunboats open heavy machinegun fire at Palestinian fishermen

[ 12/05/2013 - 09:43 AM ]


GAZA, (PIC)-- Israeli navy gunboats opened heavy machinegun fire at Palestinian fishing boats working off the coast of central Gaza Strip on Saturday night.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that the gunboats opened intensive fire at the boats that were fishing off the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
Israeli gunboats occasionally fire at Palestinian fishing boats and impede their work even within the reduced three nautical miles radius.

Gaza Strip: Attacks in the border areas and their consequences

PCHR

Sunday, 12 May 2013 00:00


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 thebuffer 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
 

Saturday, May 4, 2013

IOF Opens Fire on Palestinian Fishermen

Al Mezan

 4-5-2013

At approximately 7:30 am on Saturday 4 May 2013, Israeli Navy vessels opened fire on Palestinian fishermen in the west and north of Al-Waha resort, near the maritime buffer zone. No injuries were reported.

Friday, May 3, 2013

IOF Opens Fire at Fishermen in Rafah

Al Mezan

3-5-2013

On Friday 3rd May 2013, at approximately 7:00 am, Israeli navy vessels opened sporadic fire on Palestinian fishing boats at a distance of about three nautical miles, off the coast in Rafah. No causalities or injuries were reported.

IOF Targets Fishermen West of Beit Lahiya

Al Mezan

3-5-2013

On Friday 3rd May 2013, at approximately 8:40 pm, Israeli naval vessels opened sporadic fire on Palestinian fishing boats northwest of Al Waha resort, near the maritime border, northwest of Beit lahyia. No causalities or injuries were reported.