7 sept 2016
Development agency report says Israeli confiscation of Palestinian land, water and other natural resources, as well as widespread restrictions on movement, destruction of homes and expansion of settlements were damaging to the Palestinian economy.
The Palestinian economy could easily double, while sky-high unemployment and poverty would plummet if the Israeli occupation were lifted, the United Nations development agency said Tuesday.
In a new report, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) pointed to a long list of ways the Israeli occupation stifled the economies of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including the confiscation of Palestinian land, water and other natural resources.
The widespread restrictions on the movement of people and goods, destruction of homes, trees and other assets, and the expansion of Israeli settlements were also damaging, it said.
"Without occupation, the economy of the Occupied Palestinian Territory could produce twice the GDP (gross domestic product) it currently generates," the report said.
The economy of the territories grew 3.5 percent last year after shrinking 0.2 percent in 2014, when it was hard-hit by the devastating war in Gaza between Israel and Islamist rulers Hamas and other factions.
Per capita income remains below its pre-2014 level, the report said.
The 2014 Operation Protective Edge killed more than 2,200 Palestinians and 72 on the Israeli side while causing economic losses close to three times the size of Gaza's GDP.
With reconstruction hampered by Israel's blockade and by lagging international aid, 91 percent of damaged houses in Gaza have yet to be rebuilt and 75,000 people remain displaced two years on, UNCTAD said.
UNCTAD also pointed to the dire impact Israel's control of the so-called "Area C," which covers 61 percent of the West Bank and 66 percent of its grazing land.
"It is estimated that the occupation of Area C costs the Palestinian economy the equivalent of 35 percent of GDP" ($4.4 billion in 2015), UNCTAD said in a statement.
Gaza's rising infant mortality
In Gaza meanwhile, producers are unable to access half of the cultivable area due to an Israeli-imposed buffer zone blocking access to land alongside the border fence, and 85 percent of fishery resources due to a maritime blockade, it said.
Israel also widely blocks Palestinians from digging water wells, while confiscating 82 percent of Palestinian groundwater, the agency said.
"The Palestinians are left with no choice but to import their own water from Israel to cover 50 percent of their consumption," it said.
All of this combined has "generated permanent crises of unemployment, poverty and food insecurity," UNCTAD said.
Officially, one quarter of the population in the Palestinian territories is unemployed, while the rate in Gaza is 38 percent, but these figures are likely to significantly underestimate the problem, UNCTAD said.
"A shocking indicator of the grim situation in Gaza is the rising infant mortality rate, ... (which) has risen for the first time in 50 years," the report said.
The neonatal mortality rate nearly doubled between 2008 and 2013, from 12 to 20.3 deaths for every 1,000 live births, it said.
Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon charged that "the UN report is filled with half-truths and vicious lies against the State of Israel. I call on the UN secretary-general to reject the conclusions of the report, as they are an ugly distortion of the truth."
Israel's delegation to the UN said the report was part of a campaign by the Palestinian leadership to move the conflict to the international arena, where they could reach diplomatic achievements without having to negotiate with Israel.
"The Palestinians must not be allowed to take over the UN's agencies and divert them of their original purpose—working for the betterment of the world—thus turning them into ‘lie machines’ that accuse Israel of everything imaginable," Danon said.
"The UN secretary-general must make it clear that continuing to spread lies against Israel will lead to a serious and painful cutback in the budget of the agency preparing the report," he added.
The Palestinian economy could easily double, while sky-high unemployment and poverty would plummet if the Israeli occupation were lifted, the United Nations development agency said Tuesday.
In a new report, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) pointed to a long list of ways the Israeli occupation stifled the economies of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including the confiscation of Palestinian land, water and other natural resources.
The widespread restrictions on the movement of people and goods, destruction of homes, trees and other assets, and the expansion of Israeli settlements were also damaging, it said.
"Without occupation, the economy of the Occupied Palestinian Territory could produce twice the GDP (gross domestic product) it currently generates," the report said.
The economy of the territories grew 3.5 percent last year after shrinking 0.2 percent in 2014, when it was hard-hit by the devastating war in Gaza between Israel and Islamist rulers Hamas and other factions.
Per capita income remains below its pre-2014 level, the report said.
The 2014 Operation Protective Edge killed more than 2,200 Palestinians and 72 on the Israeli side while causing economic losses close to three times the size of Gaza's GDP.
With reconstruction hampered by Israel's blockade and by lagging international aid, 91 percent of damaged houses in Gaza have yet to be rebuilt and 75,000 people remain displaced two years on, UNCTAD said.
UNCTAD also pointed to the dire impact Israel's control of the so-called "Area C," which covers 61 percent of the West Bank and 66 percent of its grazing land.
"It is estimated that the occupation of Area C costs the Palestinian economy the equivalent of 35 percent of GDP" ($4.4 billion in 2015), UNCTAD said in a statement.
Gaza's rising infant mortality
In Gaza meanwhile, producers are unable to access half of the cultivable area due to an Israeli-imposed buffer zone blocking access to land alongside the border fence, and 85 percent of fishery resources due to a maritime blockade, it said.
Israel also widely blocks Palestinians from digging water wells, while confiscating 82 percent of Palestinian groundwater, the agency said.
"The Palestinians are left with no choice but to import their own water from Israel to cover 50 percent of their consumption," it said.
All of this combined has "generated permanent crises of unemployment, poverty and food insecurity," UNCTAD said.
Officially, one quarter of the population in the Palestinian territories is unemployed, while the rate in Gaza is 38 percent, but these figures are likely to significantly underestimate the problem, UNCTAD said.
"A shocking indicator of the grim situation in Gaza is the rising infant mortality rate, ... (which) has risen for the first time in 50 years," the report said.
The neonatal mortality rate nearly doubled between 2008 and 2013, from 12 to 20.3 deaths for every 1,000 live births, it said.
Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon charged that "the UN report is filled with half-truths and vicious lies against the State of Israel. I call on the UN secretary-general to reject the conclusions of the report, as they are an ugly distortion of the truth."
Israel's delegation to the UN said the report was part of a campaign by the Palestinian leadership to move the conflict to the international arena, where they could reach diplomatic achievements without having to negotiate with Israel.
"The Palestinians must not be allowed to take over the UN's agencies and divert them of their original purpose—working for the betterment of the world—thus turning them into ‘lie machines’ that accuse Israel of everything imaginable," Danon said.
"The UN secretary-general must make it clear that continuing to spread lies against Israel will lead to a serious and painful cutback in the budget of the agency preparing the report," he added.
Several Israeli bulldozers leveled nearly 40 dunums of Palestinian-owned land in al-Khalil and uprooted dozens of olive trees on early Wednesday morning.
The PIC reporter affirmed that a number of Israeli bulldozers were driven into Beit Wala town west of the city accompanied with large numbers of Israeli forces and started razing the agricultural lands near the Apartheid Wall.
Dozens of almond trees and some olive saplings were also uprooted in the area, while a number of water wells were destroyed.
Israeli Soldiers Uproot 40 Dunams Of Palestinian Agricultural Lands, Two Wells, In Hebron
Israeli soldiers uprooted, Wednesday, more than 40 Dunams (9.88 Acres) of Palestinian agricultural lands, and two water wells, in Beit Ola town, west of Hebron, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
Issa al-‘Emla, the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Colonies in Beit Ola, said the Israeli military bulldozers uprooted more than 40 of lands, belonging to Bassam Hamdan al-‘Adam, Suleiman Mohammad al-‘Adam and Ali al-‘Adam.
The lands were planted with more than 800 olive and almond trees, while the soldiers also destroyed two wells, used for collecting rainwater close to the Annexation Wall, and that the army claimed the lands were “owned by the state.”
Al-‘Emla stated that the attack was carried out although there are a number of cases that are still under deliberation by Israeli courts, and no final ruling has been issued yet.
He added that Israel is targeting the Palestinian lands in the area in order to control them for military purposes, and for the construction and expansion of its illegal colonies.
Israel has uprooted hundreds of Dunams of Palestinian lands in the same area, over the last several years, in addition to demolishing many wells and destroying the electricity networks.
The PIC reporter affirmed that a number of Israeli bulldozers were driven into Beit Wala town west of the city accompanied with large numbers of Israeli forces and started razing the agricultural lands near the Apartheid Wall.
Dozens of almond trees and some olive saplings were also uprooted in the area, while a number of water wells were destroyed.
Israeli Soldiers Uproot 40 Dunams Of Palestinian Agricultural Lands, Two Wells, In Hebron
Israeli soldiers uprooted, Wednesday, more than 40 Dunams (9.88 Acres) of Palestinian agricultural lands, and two water wells, in Beit Ola town, west of Hebron, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
Issa al-‘Emla, the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Colonies in Beit Ola, said the Israeli military bulldozers uprooted more than 40 of lands, belonging to Bassam Hamdan al-‘Adam, Suleiman Mohammad al-‘Adam and Ali al-‘Adam.
The lands were planted with more than 800 olive and almond trees, while the soldiers also destroyed two wells, used for collecting rainwater close to the Annexation Wall, and that the army claimed the lands were “owned by the state.”
Al-‘Emla stated that the attack was carried out although there are a number of cases that are still under deliberation by Israeli courts, and no final ruling has been issued yet.
He added that Israel is targeting the Palestinian lands in the area in order to control them for military purposes, and for the construction and expansion of its illegal colonies.
Israel has uprooted hundreds of Dunams of Palestinian lands in the same area, over the last several years, in addition to demolishing many wells and destroying the electricity networks.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Tuesday evening seized a Palestinian bulldozer in Bethlehem’s western village of Battir, in the southern occupied West Bank.
Battir Mayor, Akram Badr, said the IOF soldiers stole a bulldozer owned by the Palestinian citizen Hassan Salah while the latter was reclaiming farmlands that belong to the Alyan family in Ein Amdan area.
The Israeli occupation army has often seized agricultural equipment in the area in an attempt to crack down on Palestinian farmers.
Battir Mayor, Akram Badr, said the IOF soldiers stole a bulldozer owned by the Palestinian citizen Hassan Salah while the latter was reclaiming farmlands that belong to the Alyan family in Ein Amdan area.
The Israeli occupation army has often seized agricultural equipment in the area in an attempt to crack down on Palestinian farmers.
6 sept 2016
Belgium has decided to allocate more than €10 million in extra humanitarian aid to address the needs of the Palestinian people, a statement by the Belgium Ministry for Development Cooperation said on Monday.
“To respond to the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Development Cooperation Alexander De Croo has decided to allocate an extra €10.28 million in humanitarian aid to different United Nations organizations and Belgian and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs),” said the statement.
In 2016, Belgium provided in total more than €20 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in need, according to WAFA correspondence.
“Two years after the conflict of 2014 in Gaza, the humanitarian challenges remain unchanged and the needs still equally important. It is essential to support the vulnerable households that are confronted with the prolonged nature of the humanitarian crisis and the recurrent cycle of shocks under which 2.3 million Palestinians in need in the occupied Palestinian territory suffer”, said Alexander De Croo.
In the Gaza Strip, almost 100,000 families (600,000 persons) currently live in damaged houses, rented houses, host families, caravans, tents and temporary shelters.
Access to education remains problematic. Almost 600,000 children in the occupied Palestinian territory need assistance to get quality education in a safe and child-friendly environment.
The statement said that a total amount of €4.3 million has been allocated to Oxfam, Caritas, Handicap International and other humanitarian NGOs for projects with a duration of 12 months:
Oxfam received almost €1.2 million aimed at relaunching the fishing industry and promoting the free circulation of goods and persons by providing legal aid by putting in place advocacy activities and by strengthening the local capacities.
Caritas got €1 million aimed at enabling access to basic health care by strengthening the capacities of health centers of Caritas in Gaza through technical education and the supply of modern medical equipment.
The funding of €747,000 for Handicap International aimed at providing services in risk preparedness and psycho-social support to the most vulnerable people in the Gaza Strip.
A total of €1.3 million were allocated to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) aimed at protecting the Palestinians who are threatened by forced displacement in the occupied West Bank.
The Ministry for Development Cooperation said a total amount of €6 million has been allocated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, €4 million, OCHA, €1 million and €1 million for World Food Program.
Furthermore, Belgium has in 2015 also decided on a series of multi-year funding, of which a part has been paid in 2016 including €2.5 million for the Emergency Response Fund (ERF), €6.25 million for the general resources of UNRWA and €1.44 million for Oxfam.
“To respond to the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Development Cooperation Alexander De Croo has decided to allocate an extra €10.28 million in humanitarian aid to different United Nations organizations and Belgian and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs),” said the statement.
In 2016, Belgium provided in total more than €20 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in need, according to WAFA correspondence.
“Two years after the conflict of 2014 in Gaza, the humanitarian challenges remain unchanged and the needs still equally important. It is essential to support the vulnerable households that are confronted with the prolonged nature of the humanitarian crisis and the recurrent cycle of shocks under which 2.3 million Palestinians in need in the occupied Palestinian territory suffer”, said Alexander De Croo.
In the Gaza Strip, almost 100,000 families (600,000 persons) currently live in damaged houses, rented houses, host families, caravans, tents and temporary shelters.
Access to education remains problematic. Almost 600,000 children in the occupied Palestinian territory need assistance to get quality education in a safe and child-friendly environment.
The statement said that a total amount of €4.3 million has been allocated to Oxfam, Caritas, Handicap International and other humanitarian NGOs for projects with a duration of 12 months:
Oxfam received almost €1.2 million aimed at relaunching the fishing industry and promoting the free circulation of goods and persons by providing legal aid by putting in place advocacy activities and by strengthening the local capacities.
Caritas got €1 million aimed at enabling access to basic health care by strengthening the capacities of health centers of Caritas in Gaza through technical education and the supply of modern medical equipment.
The funding of €747,000 for Handicap International aimed at providing services in risk preparedness and psycho-social support to the most vulnerable people in the Gaza Strip.
A total of €1.3 million were allocated to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) aimed at protecting the Palestinians who are threatened by forced displacement in the occupied West Bank.
The Ministry for Development Cooperation said a total amount of €6 million has been allocated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, €4 million, OCHA, €1 million and €1 million for World Food Program.
Furthermore, Belgium has in 2015 also decided on a series of multi-year funding, of which a part has been paid in 2016 including €2.5 million for the Emergency Response Fund (ERF), €6.25 million for the general resources of UNRWA and €1.44 million for Oxfam.
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, overnight and on Tuesday at dawn, three Palestinians from Hebron city, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, and Surif town, northwest of Hebron, and shut down a store that sells fireworks.
The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said the soldiers invaded homes in the city, searched them causing damage, and kidnapped Ahmad Yousef Abu Sbeih in addition to Mahmoud Rajabi.
It added that the soldiers also invaded homes in Surif town, and kidnapped one Palestinian, identified as Mohammad Ibrahim al-Hoor.
Also in Surif, the soldiers invaded a store, owned by Tareq Ehdoush, after smashing its front door, and ordered the store shut for “selling fireworks that were used in attacking the army,” according to leaflets distributed by the military.
The statement claims the fireworks “are used in terrorist attacks that are harming people and property,” and that the military considers the fireworks to be illegal “and will be acting against anybody who sells them, or uses them.”
The statement added that some of the penalties for violating the military orders are fines, prosecution, and imprisonment.
The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said the soldiers invaded homes in the city, searched them causing damage, and kidnapped Ahmad Yousef Abu Sbeih in addition to Mahmoud Rajabi.
It added that the soldiers also invaded homes in Surif town, and kidnapped one Palestinian, identified as Mohammad Ibrahim al-Hoor.
Also in Surif, the soldiers invaded a store, owned by Tareq Ehdoush, after smashing its front door, and ordered the store shut for “selling fireworks that were used in attacking the army,” according to leaflets distributed by the military.
The statement claims the fireworks “are used in terrorist attacks that are harming people and property,” and that the military considers the fireworks to be illegal “and will be acting against anybody who sells them, or uses them.”
The statement added that some of the penalties for violating the military orders are fines, prosecution, and imprisonment.
3 sept 2016
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) last night confiscated an agricultural tractor belonging to a farmer from Umm al-Jimal hamlet in the Jordan Valley, particularly east of Tubas city.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli soldiers stormed the house of Adel Awad in the Bedouin community of Umm al-Jimal and seized his tractor, which he uses for agricultural purposes.
During the raid on his house, Awad was handed a summons from the Shin Bet, and his tractor was taken to a nearby military base. The Israeli army had already confiscated the same tractor last year and forced its owner to pay a large financial penalty.
In another development on Saturday morning, Israeli municipal employees escorted by policemen delivered administrative demolition orders against Palestinian homes and stores in al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan district, south of the Aqsa Mosque.
The municipal crew also photographed those homes and stores, which are threatened with demolition at the pretext of unlicensed construction.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem said that this measure became a weekly routine in the context of an Israeli plan to raze the neighborhood in order to build Talmudic parks and projects.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli soldiers stormed the house of Adel Awad in the Bedouin community of Umm al-Jimal and seized his tractor, which he uses for agricultural purposes.
During the raid on his house, Awad was handed a summons from the Shin Bet, and his tractor was taken to a nearby military base. The Israeli army had already confiscated the same tractor last year and forced its owner to pay a large financial penalty.
In another development on Saturday morning, Israeli municipal employees escorted by policemen delivered administrative demolition orders against Palestinian homes and stores in al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan district, south of the Aqsa Mosque.
The municipal crew also photographed those homes and stores, which are threatened with demolition at the pretext of unlicensed construction.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem said that this measure became a weekly routine in the context of an Israeli plan to raze the neighborhood in order to build Talmudic parks and projects.
2 sept 2016
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) confiscated Thursday evening a Palestinian-owned bulldozer in an agricultural land in Beit Dajan village east of Nablus.
Head of the village council Nasser Abu Jaysh affirmed that Israeli forces stormed the village in large numbers and confiscated a bulldozer owned by a local farmer.
For Palestinians living under illegal Israeli military occupation, violent repression is a quotidian burden.
Head of the village council Nasser Abu Jaysh affirmed that Israeli forces stormed the village in large numbers and confiscated a bulldozer owned by a local farmer.
For Palestinians living under illegal Israeli military occupation, violent repression is a quotidian burden.
1 sept 2016
UN humanitarian coordinator Robert Piper has stressed the importance of supporting development and stabilization opportunities in the besieged Gaza Strip.
During a visit on Wednesday to the Islamic University in Gaza, Piper expressed admiration for the great abilities and qualifications the Palestinians in Gaza possess despite the difficult humanitarian conditions under the blockade.
He, however, pointed to the high unemployment rate in Gaza, affirming that despite the high education rate in Gaza, there are no many job opportunities for graduates.
The UN official applauded the high scientific standards which the Islamic University enjoy in Gaza, with regard to academic programs and research, stressing the need for active cooperation between the UN and the university.
During a visit on Wednesday to the Islamic University in Gaza, Piper expressed admiration for the great abilities and qualifications the Palestinians in Gaza possess despite the difficult humanitarian conditions under the blockade.
He, however, pointed to the high unemployment rate in Gaza, affirming that despite the high education rate in Gaza, there are no many job opportunities for graduates.
The UN official applauded the high scientific standards which the Islamic University enjoy in Gaza, with regard to academic programs and research, stressing the need for active cooperation between the UN and the university.
30 aug 2016
Israeli Occupation forces (IOF) confiscated on Monday a bulldozer owned by a Palestinian company during renovation works of a road near Kiryat Arba settlement which was established over Palestinians’ land in al-Khalil.
The coordinator of the popular and national committee against settlement and Separation Wall in the southern West Bank Rateb al-Jabour said that the bulldozer was transferred to the nearby Kharsina outpost.
He added that Israeli forces stopped renovation works of another road which connects two villages in al-Khalil. He underlined that the road is of great importance since it links the towns in southern al-Khalil.
Israeli forces claimed that halting renovation works in the roads were done for lacking construction permits in an Israeli-controlled area.
Earlier on Monday, Israeli forces stormed housing compounds in Mesafer Yatta town in al-Khalil and searched Palestinians’ homes for the second time in a week.
The coordinator of the popular and national committee against settlement and Separation Wall in the southern West Bank Rateb al-Jabour said that the bulldozer was transferred to the nearby Kharsina outpost.
He added that Israeli forces stopped renovation works of another road which connects two villages in al-Khalil. He underlined that the road is of great importance since it links the towns in southern al-Khalil.
Israeli forces claimed that halting renovation works in the roads were done for lacking construction permits in an Israeli-controlled area.
Earlier on Monday, Israeli forces stormed housing compounds in Mesafer Yatta town in al-Khalil and searched Palestinians’ homes for the second time in a week.
28 aug 2016
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) continues to crack down on Palestinian traders in Occupied Jerusalem despite the tough socio-economic conditions rocking the city.
Owner of the Abu Shukri restaurant, located in the Wad Street in the Old City, said the IOA slapped two fines of 450 shekels each just because the restaurant has two entrance doors.
He added that the Israeli occupation forces have frequently stormed the restaurant, sparking terror among the customers.
Member of the local charity library Khader Abu Hudwan also launched a cry for help over the arbitrary Israeli fines. “The Israeli municipal staff asked for the library’s signboard.
I replied that we have none because the library is not a private property and is an Islamic Awqaf property that has been there for 40 years.
But the Israeli officers paid no heed to such proofs and issued a fine of 475 shekels,” said Abu Hudwan.
Owner of the al-Taj restaurant in the Old City also said he was subjected to a fine of 470 shekels on allegations that he did not pay the signboard license.
Head of the Jerusalem Center for Socio-economic Rights, Ziad al-Hamouri, said such fines make part of an Israeli policy to crack down on Palestinian merchants in Occupied Jerusalem.
A few days earlier, the Israeli municipality ordered the Supreme Islamic Council to remove the signboard put on its headquarters in Bab al-Silsila and slapped a fine of 475 shekels on claims that the signboard violates the municipality’s instructions.
Owner of the Abu Shukri restaurant, located in the Wad Street in the Old City, said the IOA slapped two fines of 450 shekels each just because the restaurant has two entrance doors.
He added that the Israeli occupation forces have frequently stormed the restaurant, sparking terror among the customers.
Member of the local charity library Khader Abu Hudwan also launched a cry for help over the arbitrary Israeli fines. “The Israeli municipal staff asked for the library’s signboard.
I replied that we have none because the library is not a private property and is an Islamic Awqaf property that has been there for 40 years.
But the Israeli officers paid no heed to such proofs and issued a fine of 475 shekels,” said Abu Hudwan.
Owner of the al-Taj restaurant in the Old City also said he was subjected to a fine of 470 shekels on allegations that he did not pay the signboard license.
Head of the Jerusalem Center for Socio-economic Rights, Ziad al-Hamouri, said such fines make part of an Israeli policy to crack down on Palestinian merchants in Occupied Jerusalem.
A few days earlier, the Israeli municipality ordered the Supreme Islamic Council to remove the signboard put on its headquarters in Bab al-Silsila and slapped a fine of 475 shekels on claims that the signboard violates the municipality’s instructions.
27 aug 2016
The Israeli occupation navy on Saturday morning kidnapped two Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Beit Lahia district, north of the Gaza Strip.
According to a local committee documenting Israel's violations against Gaza fishermen, Israeli gunboats opened machinegun fire at Palestinian fishing boats, chased two of them and rounded up two fishermen after destroying the boat they were aboard.
The Israeli navy also confiscated the boat of the two detained fishermen, who were identified as Abdul-Latif Taroush and Ahmed Abu Ihsan.
In another incident, the Israeli army opened fire at Palestinian farmers as they were working their lands to the east of Azzeitun and Shuja'iyya neighborhoods in Gaza City. Luckily, none of the farmers was hurt in the gunfire attack.
According to a local committee documenting Israel's violations against Gaza fishermen, Israeli gunboats opened machinegun fire at Palestinian fishing boats, chased two of them and rounded up two fishermen after destroying the boat they were aboard.
The Israeli navy also confiscated the boat of the two detained fishermen, who were identified as Abdul-Latif Taroush and Ahmed Abu Ihsan.
In another incident, the Israeli army opened fire at Palestinian farmers as they were working their lands to the east of Azzeitun and Shuja'iyya neighborhoods in Gaza City. Luckily, none of the farmers was hurt in the gunfire attack.
