9 feb 2015
Israeli warplanes, Monday, carried out mock air raids in a limited incursion over Gaza skies, while Israeli navy gunboats opened fire at fishermen off the Gaza shore, according to WAFA correspondence.
Israeli F16s flew over the Gaza Strip at low altitude and launched mock raids over the region, in addition to sailing heat balloons into the air, which Israel uses to divert intense anti-aircraft fire.
Loud explosions were heard across the Strip, spreading fear and panic among residents, and particularly children.
Meanwhile, Israeli naval troops targeted fishing boats sailing within the six-nautical miles allowed for fishing. However, no injuries were reported among them.
Fishermen were forced to leave the sea for fear of being killed, injured or arrested.
Israel continues to breach the Egyptian-brokered truce agreement reached on August 26th of 2014, following 51 days of bloody aggression on the Strip.
During the ceasefire indirect talks, Israel agreed to extend the fishing zone to six nautical miles, a term that was stipulated under the 2012 ceasefire agreement, but was rescinded by Israel only months later.
The current fishing zone falls drastically short of the twenty nautical miles allocated to Palestinian fishermen under the 1993 Oslo Accords.
Israeli F16s flew over the Gaza Strip at low altitude and launched mock raids over the region, in addition to sailing heat balloons into the air, which Israel uses to divert intense anti-aircraft fire.
Loud explosions were heard across the Strip, spreading fear and panic among residents, and particularly children.
Meanwhile, Israeli naval troops targeted fishing boats sailing within the six-nautical miles allowed for fishing. However, no injuries were reported among them.
Fishermen were forced to leave the sea for fear of being killed, injured or arrested.
Israel continues to breach the Egyptian-brokered truce agreement reached on August 26th of 2014, following 51 days of bloody aggression on the Strip.
During the ceasefire indirect talks, Israel agreed to extend the fishing zone to six nautical miles, a term that was stipulated under the 2012 ceasefire agreement, but was rescinded by Israel only months later.
The current fishing zone falls drastically short of the twenty nautical miles allocated to Palestinian fishermen under the 1993 Oslo Accords.
The Association for Palestinian Engineers in Europe launched a campaign under the theme “Philanthropists” to support the Palestinians in Gaza Strip.
The campaign aims at bringing light to houses of Gazan people who are suffering the consequences of the latest Israeli aggression on Gaza Strip. Especially, after hitting Gaza’s power plant and reducing the flow of diesel fuel into the plant.
The Israeli aggression and siege on Gaza has led to the increase of power cut off hours. People in Gaza have been trying to make up for electricity by lighting candles which constitute a constant danger. Two children from Gaza have recently died because of fire resulting from candles.
The Association pointed to the idea that illuminating the poor houses in Gaza by safer means has become a must.
The European Wafa Campaign and the Association of Palestinian Engineers along with some philanthropists have undertaken to light those houses. 600 houses have so far been sponsored.
The campaign aims at bringing light to houses of Gazan people who are suffering the consequences of the latest Israeli aggression on Gaza Strip. Especially, after hitting Gaza’s power plant and reducing the flow of diesel fuel into the plant.
The Israeli aggression and siege on Gaza has led to the increase of power cut off hours. People in Gaza have been trying to make up for electricity by lighting candles which constitute a constant danger. Two children from Gaza have recently died because of fire resulting from candles.
The Association pointed to the idea that illuminating the poor houses in Gaza by safer means has become a must.
The European Wafa Campaign and the Association of Palestinian Engineers along with some philanthropists have undertaken to light those houses. 600 houses have so far been sponsored.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) claimed Monday the destruction of a tunnel stretching from Shuja’iyya suburb in Gaza City to Nahal Oz military site.
Weapons and combat equipment were allegedly found in the tunnel, according to Israeli sources.
Along the same line, IOF soldiers advanced on Monday morning into the north of Gaza Strip, where they conducted combing operations in the area.
Eyewitnesses told Quds Press that four Israeli bulldozers escorted by a number of military vehicles moved into Beit Hanoun town to the north of the besieged Strip.
It was not the first time the Israeli army violated the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Its troops attack Palestinian farmers and their property, and prevent them from reaching their fields almost on a daily basis.
Weapons and combat equipment were allegedly found in the tunnel, according to Israeli sources.
Along the same line, IOF soldiers advanced on Monday morning into the north of Gaza Strip, where they conducted combing operations in the area.
Eyewitnesses told Quds Press that four Israeli bulldozers escorted by a number of military vehicles moved into Beit Hanoun town to the north of the besieged Strip.
It was not the first time the Israeli army violated the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Its troops attack Palestinian farmers and their property, and prevent them from reaching their fields almost on a daily basis.
The UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said Sunday that $1.1 million would be distributed to 800 homeless families in Gaza whose houses were destroyed during Israel's summer offensive on Gaza.
UNRWA media adviser Adnan Abu Hasna confirmed that the cash payments will be disbursed through local banks in Gaza.
UNRWA has early announced that Saudi Arabia has donated $13.5 million for the reconstruction of Gaza Strip.
According to UNRWA, over 96,000 Palestinian refugee family homes were damaged or destroyed during last summer’s conflict and US$ 720 million is required to address this need. To date, UNRWA has received only US$ 135 million in pledges, leaving a shortfall of US$ 585 million.
Director of Operations for UNRWA in Gaza Robert Turner said that 8,000 Palestinian families are currently waiting for the first batch of amount allocated for repairs estimated at US$ 18 million, while 3,100 other families are still in need for shelter assistance estimated at US$ 3.5 million.
The international donor conference held on October 12, 2014 in the Egyptian capital of Cairo raised 5.4 billion U.S. dollars for the re-construction of the Gaza Strip following Israel’s 51-day aggression.
On January 27, 2015 the agency announced that it was forced to stop a cash assistance program for tens of thousands of Palestinians to help them pay rents until their destroyed houses are fixed.
UNRWA media adviser Adnan Abu Hasna confirmed that the cash payments will be disbursed through local banks in Gaza.
UNRWA has early announced that Saudi Arabia has donated $13.5 million for the reconstruction of Gaza Strip.
According to UNRWA, over 96,000 Palestinian refugee family homes were damaged or destroyed during last summer’s conflict and US$ 720 million is required to address this need. To date, UNRWA has received only US$ 135 million in pledges, leaving a shortfall of US$ 585 million.
Director of Operations for UNRWA in Gaza Robert Turner said that 8,000 Palestinian families are currently waiting for the first batch of amount allocated for repairs estimated at US$ 18 million, while 3,100 other families are still in need for shelter assistance estimated at US$ 3.5 million.
The international donor conference held on October 12, 2014 in the Egyptian capital of Cairo raised 5.4 billion U.S. dollars for the re-construction of the Gaza Strip following Israel’s 51-day aggression.
On January 27, 2015 the agency announced that it was forced to stop a cash assistance program for tens of thousands of Palestinians to help them pay rents until their destroyed houses are fixed.
The international Quartet committee afternoon Sunday voiced deep concern over the slow pace with which initiatives to reconstruct the blockaded Gaza Strip have been proceeding.
The Quartet is deeply concerned over the difficult situation in Gaza where the pace of reconstruction needs to be accelerated to address the basic needs of the Palestinian population and to ensure stability," A statement by the committee read.
The Quartet’s diplomats urged donors, after a meeting in Munich on Sunday, to disburse the more than $5 billion in aid for the Palestinians pledged last October in Cairo to repair damage from the Israeli offensive on the besieged coastal enclave, killing more than 2,100 Palestinians and destroying thousands of houses.
The Quartet further urged a prompt resumption of peace talks between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinians after negotiations broke down last March.
The Quartet underlined the importance of the parties resuming negotiations as soon as possible," the group comprising the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia said in a joint statement after their meeting in Germany.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and deputy U.N. head Jan Eliasson reiterated that talks must respect Palestinian aspirations for statehood and Israel's security concerns.
The Quartet is deeply concerned over the difficult situation in Gaza where the pace of reconstruction needs to be accelerated to address the basic needs of the Palestinian population and to ensure stability," A statement by the committee read.
The Quartet’s diplomats urged donors, after a meeting in Munich on Sunday, to disburse the more than $5 billion in aid for the Palestinians pledged last October in Cairo to repair damage from the Israeli offensive on the besieged coastal enclave, killing more than 2,100 Palestinians and destroying thousands of houses.
The Quartet further urged a prompt resumption of peace talks between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinians after negotiations broke down last March.
The Quartet underlined the importance of the parties resuming negotiations as soon as possible," the group comprising the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia said in a joint statement after their meeting in Germany.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and deputy U.N. head Jan Eliasson reiterated that talks must respect Palestinian aspirations for statehood and Israel's security concerns.
8 feb 2015
Medhat Ghayyad 31
A Palestinian man died on Sunday of his wounds suffered in the latest Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.
Medical sources said the 31-year-old man called Medhat Ghayyad from Rafah city in southern Gaza died on Sunday of his wounds, noting that he was disabled and his health had lately been badly worsening.
Israel waged war on Gaza July 7, 2014 that lasted for 51 days and led to the death of more than two thousand Palestinians and the injury of 11,000 others.
A Palestinian man died on Sunday of his wounds suffered in the latest Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.
Medical sources said the 31-year-old man called Medhat Ghayyad from Rafah city in southern Gaza died on Sunday of his wounds, noting that he was disabled and his health had lately been badly worsening.
Israel waged war on Gaza July 7, 2014 that lasted for 51 days and led to the death of more than two thousand Palestinians and the injury of 11,000 others.
7 feb 2015
The Israeli occupation forces on Saturday opened fire on the Gazan farmers east of Deir Al-Balah area in Gaza strip.
Witnesses from the area reported that the Israeli soldiers targeted the Palestinian farmers who were working in their agricultural lands
No injuries were reported.
Witnesses from the area reported that the Israeli soldiers targeted the Palestinian farmers who were working in their agricultural lands
No injuries were reported.
6 feb 2015
The Israeli military boats on Friday morning opened fire on the Palestinian fishermen's boats near Al-Sudaneyya shore northwest of Gaza Strip. The attack came after the Israeli soldiers located a 'suspicious' boat, according to the Israeli website "0404".
The website reported that the Israeli Navy ordered the fishermen to go back to the territories they're allowed to fish in before they open fire on them. It was also reported that the Palestinian fishermen went beyond the fishing-allowed territories in Al-Sudaneyya shore.
No injuries were reported.
The website reported that the Israeli Navy ordered the fishermen to go back to the territories they're allowed to fish in before they open fire on them. It was also reported that the Palestinian fishermen went beyond the fishing-allowed territories in Al-Sudaneyya shore.
No injuries were reported.
A Palestinian man looks on near a destroyed building in Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip on January 30, 2015
The United Nations and the Arab League have appealed to international donors to “urgently” disburse their financial commitments to Gaza.
UN chief Ban Ki-Moon and head of Arab League Nabil el-Arabi on Friday issued a joint statement, in which they regretted the scarce financial resources for rebuilding the war-torn Gaza.
The statement said that the UN and Arab League leaders "urgently appeal to donors to honor and disburse as soon as possible their financial commitments made at the October 2014 Cairo Conference."
During the meeting in Cairo, the international donors pledged around $5.4 billion to the reconstruction of Gaza and improving the situation in the besieged enclave after it was hit by Israel’s devastating assault last summer. UN agencies have said that nothing of the promised money has yet arrived in Gaza.
A part of the money will be earmarked to the subsidiary agencies of the UN that are active on the issue of Gaza and are tasked with preventing the situation from further deterioration.
The statement also regretted the slow pace of construction in Gaza and the stressed the urgent need for aid to ensure stability of the people residing in Gaza.
Lack of financial resources made the UN suspend its program for housing thousands of people in Gaza in January.
Qatar has promised the largest sum of money, around one billion dollars, while the United States and the European Union have pledged to pay $212 million and €450 million, respectively.
Israel’s military assault on Gaza brought about huge destruction to the coastal enclave. More than 2,200 Palestinians were killed and thousands more injured in the one-sided war that started in early July 2014 and lasted 50 days.
More than 30 percent of Gaza population was also displaced in the wake of the conflict.
The United Nations and the Arab League have appealed to international donors to “urgently” disburse their financial commitments to Gaza.
UN chief Ban Ki-Moon and head of Arab League Nabil el-Arabi on Friday issued a joint statement, in which they regretted the scarce financial resources for rebuilding the war-torn Gaza.
The statement said that the UN and Arab League leaders "urgently appeal to donors to honor and disburse as soon as possible their financial commitments made at the October 2014 Cairo Conference."
During the meeting in Cairo, the international donors pledged around $5.4 billion to the reconstruction of Gaza and improving the situation in the besieged enclave after it was hit by Israel’s devastating assault last summer. UN agencies have said that nothing of the promised money has yet arrived in Gaza.
A part of the money will be earmarked to the subsidiary agencies of the UN that are active on the issue of Gaza and are tasked with preventing the situation from further deterioration.
The statement also regretted the slow pace of construction in Gaza and the stressed the urgent need for aid to ensure stability of the people residing in Gaza.
Lack of financial resources made the UN suspend its program for housing thousands of people in Gaza in January.
Qatar has promised the largest sum of money, around one billion dollars, while the United States and the European Union have pledged to pay $212 million and €450 million, respectively.
Israel’s military assault on Gaza brought about huge destruction to the coastal enclave. More than 2,200 Palestinians were killed and thousands more injured in the one-sided war that started in early July 2014 and lasted 50 days.
More than 30 percent of Gaza population was also displaced in the wake of the conflict.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Friday morning shelled agricultural areas in al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli tanks behind the security fence fired at least two projectiles and opened heavy machinegun fire at agricultural lands to the east of al-Bureij refugee camp.
On Thursday, Israeli forces deployed in a border area east of Khan Younis showered Palestinian farmlands and civilian homes with bullets.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli tanks behind the security fence fired at least two projectiles and opened heavy machinegun fire at agricultural lands to the east of al-Bureij refugee camp.
On Thursday, Israeli forces deployed in a border area east of Khan Younis showered Palestinian farmlands and civilian homes with bullets.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Thursday evening opened fire at Palestinian civilians and their homes east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
Eyewitnesses said that the IOF opened machinegun fire and fired smoke grenades from their watchtowers east of Khan Younis at Palestinian farmers and their homes, causing only material damage to some of their property.
It was not the first time the Israeli army violated the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Its troops attack Palestinian farmers and their property, and prevent them from reaching their fields almost on a daily basis.
Eyewitnesses said that the IOF opened machinegun fire and fired smoke grenades from their watchtowers east of Khan Younis at Palestinian farmers and their homes, causing only material damage to some of their property.
It was not the first time the Israeli army violated the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Its troops attack Palestinian farmers and their property, and prevent them from reaching their fields almost on a daily basis.
Palestinian minister of public works Mufid al-Hasayneh said that about 12 million dollars would be distributed next week to the families affected by the last Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
Hasayneh explained that his ministry would distribute six million dollars to the families whose homes was partially destroyed during the war, pointing that each one would receive 300 dollars.
Another six million dollars will be given to the families whose homes was completely destroyed, he added.
Hasayneh explained that his ministry would distribute six million dollars to the families whose homes was partially destroyed during the war, pointing that each one would receive 300 dollars.
Another six million dollars will be given to the families whose homes was completely destroyed, he added.
5 feb 2015
Head of the economic committee at the Palestinian Legislative Council MP Atef Adwan described UN Special Coordinator for the peace process Robert Serry as "the colonial face" of Europe.
Serry’s reconstruction plan seeks to make the Israeli occupation both the judge and executioner, MP Adwan said in a press statement on Wednesday.
He called on donor countries to send special envoys to directly supervise and urgently implement the reconstruction projects.
“Despite being a UN envoy, Serry is dealing with us in the Gaza Strip with a colonial mentality. He is seeking to make every nook and cranny related to Gaza reconstruction under the control of Israel which is the sole party responsible for this destruction and damage.”
The reconstruction process is almost at a standstill. There is no real effort in this matter. UNRWA has only provided compensation for the houses that were partially destroyed, while totally damaged homes’ owners received nothing, MP Adwan clarified.
He said that UNRWA did not exercise any pressures on donor countries to meet their initial pledges given during Cairo conference for the reconstruction of Gaza, pointing out that many of those countries did not fulfill their pledges.
MP Adwan stressed the need to control, in the meantime, the popular protests against the UN agency. The growing popular protests should avoid serious escalation so as not to furnish UNRWA with pretexts to halt its services provided for 1.2 million people, he said.
For their part, Palestinian experts and officials declared that Serry’s plan for the reconstruction of Gaza could never be accepted, stressing their rejection to deal with it.
In a workshop held Tuesday about the serious implications of the suspension of Gaza reconstruction process, the participants pointed out that the Palestinian Authority approved Serry’s plan without consulting or coordinating with Palestinian factions and national forces.
Beit Hanoun Mayor Nazek Kafarna said that Serry’s plan could not lead to the reconstruction of the Strip, calling for putting an end to the suffering of thousands of homeless Gazans.
The reconstruction process has been suspended due to the continued closure of border crossings and the Israeli pressures practiced on donor countries in order not to meet their pledges, Kafarna pointed out.
On the other hand, he called for stopping media escalation and tensions between Fatah and Hamas movements.
In his turn, head of construction industry union Mohammed al-Assar slammed PA approval of Serry’s plan despite being nationally rejected. Serry’s plan is the real obstacle for the reconstruction process, he stressed.
Along the same line, the coordinator for Popular Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza Wadah Bseiso said that the difficult situation in Gaza needs a real and urgent action to implement the reconstruction process.
The homeless people’s suffering should no longer continue, he added.
Serry’s reconstruction plan seeks to make the Israeli occupation both the judge and executioner, MP Adwan said in a press statement on Wednesday.
He called on donor countries to send special envoys to directly supervise and urgently implement the reconstruction projects.
“Despite being a UN envoy, Serry is dealing with us in the Gaza Strip with a colonial mentality. He is seeking to make every nook and cranny related to Gaza reconstruction under the control of Israel which is the sole party responsible for this destruction and damage.”
The reconstruction process is almost at a standstill. There is no real effort in this matter. UNRWA has only provided compensation for the houses that were partially destroyed, while totally damaged homes’ owners received nothing, MP Adwan clarified.
He said that UNRWA did not exercise any pressures on donor countries to meet their initial pledges given during Cairo conference for the reconstruction of Gaza, pointing out that many of those countries did not fulfill their pledges.
MP Adwan stressed the need to control, in the meantime, the popular protests against the UN agency. The growing popular protests should avoid serious escalation so as not to furnish UNRWA with pretexts to halt its services provided for 1.2 million people, he said.
For their part, Palestinian experts and officials declared that Serry’s plan for the reconstruction of Gaza could never be accepted, stressing their rejection to deal with it.
In a workshop held Tuesday about the serious implications of the suspension of Gaza reconstruction process, the participants pointed out that the Palestinian Authority approved Serry’s plan without consulting or coordinating with Palestinian factions and national forces.
Beit Hanoun Mayor Nazek Kafarna said that Serry’s plan could not lead to the reconstruction of the Strip, calling for putting an end to the suffering of thousands of homeless Gazans.
The reconstruction process has been suspended due to the continued closure of border crossings and the Israeli pressures practiced on donor countries in order not to meet their pledges, Kafarna pointed out.
On the other hand, he called for stopping media escalation and tensions between Fatah and Hamas movements.
In his turn, head of construction industry union Mohammed al-Assar slammed PA approval of Serry’s plan despite being nationally rejected. Serry’s plan is the real obstacle for the reconstruction process, he stressed.
Along the same line, the coordinator for Popular Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza Wadah Bseiso said that the difficult situation in Gaza needs a real and urgent action to implement the reconstruction process.
The homeless people’s suffering should no longer continue, he added.
Director of Operations for UNRWA in Gaza Robert Turner said during a press conference held Wednesday that the current situation in Gaza Strip is worse than before Israel's summer offensive.
Turner expressed fears that the very difficult humanitarian situation in the besieged Strip could lead to renewed conflict especially in light of the people’s frustrated condition.
The suspension of Gaza reconstruction, lack of political stability, and difficult economic situation could spell the end of the cease-fire and spiral into renewed fighting in the near future, Turner added.
He pointed to the failed efforts to achieve the Palestinian reconciliation, the political tumble, and the deteriorating security situation along Gaza’s border fence.
Turner said that UNRWA was forced to suspend its cash assistance program in Gaza to tens of thousands of people for repairs to damaged and destroyed homes and for rental subsidies to the homeless due to lack of funds.
To date, UNRWA has received only US$ 135 million out of US$ 720 million in pledges, leaving a shortfall of US$ 585 million, Turner clarified.
8,000 Palestinian families are currently waiting for the first batch of amount allocated for repairs estimated at $ 18 million, while 3,100 other families are still in need for shelter assistance estimated at $3.5 million.
Only the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Germany have met their initial pledges to UNRWA for reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA's director of operations stated.
The international donor conference held on October 12 in the Egyptian capital of Cairo raised 5.4 billion U.S. dollars for the construction of the Gaza Strip following Israel’s 51-day aggression.
Turner expressed fears that the very difficult humanitarian situation in the besieged Strip could lead to renewed conflict especially in light of the people’s frustrated condition.
The suspension of Gaza reconstruction, lack of political stability, and difficult economic situation could spell the end of the cease-fire and spiral into renewed fighting in the near future, Turner added.
He pointed to the failed efforts to achieve the Palestinian reconciliation, the political tumble, and the deteriorating security situation along Gaza’s border fence.
Turner said that UNRWA was forced to suspend its cash assistance program in Gaza to tens of thousands of people for repairs to damaged and destroyed homes and for rental subsidies to the homeless due to lack of funds.
To date, UNRWA has received only US$ 135 million out of US$ 720 million in pledges, leaving a shortfall of US$ 585 million, Turner clarified.
8,000 Palestinian families are currently waiting for the first batch of amount allocated for repairs estimated at $ 18 million, while 3,100 other families are still in need for shelter assistance estimated at $3.5 million.
Only the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Germany have met their initial pledges to UNRWA for reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA's director of operations stated.
The international donor conference held on October 12 in the Egyptian capital of Cairo raised 5.4 billion U.S. dollars for the construction of the Gaza Strip following Israel’s 51-day aggression.
4 feb 2015
Israeli forces Wednesday opened gunfire at Palestinian farmers as they were farming their borderline farmlands to the east of Khan Younes, according to WAFA correspondence.
Soldiers, stationed in military watchtowers and deployed along the border, indiscriminately opened fire on Palestinian farmers as they were plowing their farmlands, forcing them to leave.
No casualties were reported in this new cross-border attack which constitutes a flagrant violation of the ceasefire deal that ended the latest deadly Israeli onslaught on the war-ravaged coastal enclave.
Israeli Forces routinely open fire on Palestinian farmers and other civilians if they approach large tracts of borderline land that Israeli forces have deemed off-limits to Palestinians, as well as on fishing boats sailing within the six-nautical-miles zone.
The buffer zone extends between 500 meters and 1500 meters into the Strip, effectively turning local farms into no-go zones.
Related: Egypt to Demolish 1,200 Homes for Rafah Buffer Zone Expansion
According to UNOCHA, 17 percent of Gaza's total land area and 35 percent of its agricultural land were within the buffer zone as of 2010, directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of more than 100,000 residents in Gaza.
Israel and the Palestinian factions agreed on a ceasefire deal this past August, ending the latest deadly Israeli onslaught on Gaza that claimed the lives of over 2,200 people, overwhelmingly civilians.
The ceasefire deal stipulated that Israel would immediately ease the blockade imposed on the strip and expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast, but it has failed to do so.
Continuing the Cairo-brokered talks on the other key issues was repeatedly postponed in the wake of November attacks against Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula.
Israel has imposed a tightened blockade since 2007 after Hamas won the democratic legislative elections and took over power in the strip.
Soldiers, stationed in military watchtowers and deployed along the border, indiscriminately opened fire on Palestinian farmers as they were plowing their farmlands, forcing them to leave.
No casualties were reported in this new cross-border attack which constitutes a flagrant violation of the ceasefire deal that ended the latest deadly Israeli onslaught on the war-ravaged coastal enclave.
Israeli Forces routinely open fire on Palestinian farmers and other civilians if they approach large tracts of borderline land that Israeli forces have deemed off-limits to Palestinians, as well as on fishing boats sailing within the six-nautical-miles zone.
The buffer zone extends between 500 meters and 1500 meters into the Strip, effectively turning local farms into no-go zones.
Related: Egypt to Demolish 1,200 Homes for Rafah Buffer Zone Expansion
According to UNOCHA, 17 percent of Gaza's total land area and 35 percent of its agricultural land were within the buffer zone as of 2010, directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of more than 100,000 residents in Gaza.
Israel and the Palestinian factions agreed on a ceasefire deal this past August, ending the latest deadly Israeli onslaught on Gaza that claimed the lives of over 2,200 people, overwhelmingly civilians.
The ceasefire deal stipulated that Israel would immediately ease the blockade imposed on the strip and expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast, but it has failed to do so.
Continuing the Cairo-brokered talks on the other key issues was repeatedly postponed in the wake of November attacks against Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula.
Israel has imposed a tightened blockade since 2007 after Hamas won the democratic legislative elections and took over power in the strip.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) organized a march in front of UNRWA headquarters in Gaza on Tuesday protesting the halt in paying rent subsidies to owners of destroyed homes.
Participants hoisted PFLP flags and banners protesting the “oppressive decision” against the displaced people of Gaza. The placards also included slogans calling for expediting the reconstruction of the beleaguered enclave.
The marchers chanted anti-UN policy slogans, charging the international organization with adopting decisions that only double the suffering of the Palestinians.
The PFLP, for its part, described the UNRWA decision as “arbitrary”.
Participants hoisted PFLP flags and banners protesting the “oppressive decision” against the displaced people of Gaza. The placards also included slogans calling for expediting the reconstruction of the beleaguered enclave.
The marchers chanted anti-UN policy slogans, charging the international organization with adopting decisions that only double the suffering of the Palestinians.
The PFLP, for its part, described the UNRWA decision as “arbitrary”.
Truce violations List of names Pictures of martyrs
Days: Aug: 26 - 25 - 24 - 23 - 22 - 21 - 20 - 19 - 18 - 17 - 16 - 15 - 14 - 13 - 12 - 11 - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
July: 31 - 30 - 29 - 28 - 27 - 26 - 25 - 24 - 23 - 22 - 21 - 20 - 19 - 18 - 17 - 16 - 15 - 14 - 13 - 12 - 11 - 10 - 9 - 8
