6 june 2015
MK Chaim Yellin during Operation Protective Edge last year.
Salafist group in Gaza claims responsibility for rocket fired at Israel; no reports of injuries or damage as politicians push for military response.
One rocket was fired from Gaza at approximately 9:40 pm Saturday night, landing in an open area near Ashkelon, and inspiring a response from Yesh Atid MK Chaim Yellin who said, "Operation Protective Edge isn't over.
"Netanyahu is busy dividing the foreign ministry and rebuilding Gaza without disarming it. That's not how you run a country; that's not how you make sure your citizens are safe; that's not how you fight terror and international boycotts," said Yellin.
Residents in the south reported hearing at least one loud boom but the exact location of the rocket strike was initially unclear. A salafist group in Gaza who claimed responsibility for the last two rocket attacks on Israel, did so again Saturday night. No reports of injuries or damage were forth coming and authorities began searching for the fallen rocket. After a review of the situation, authorities decided that school would be held as normal on Sunday.
The Israel Air Force struck four targets in the Gaza Strip nearly two weeks ago in response to rocket fire at southern Israel, suggesting that a similar response would be likely on Saturday night.
Ashkelon Mayor Itamar Shimoni also had words for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the rocket fire Saturday. "This is a moment of truth for the Israeli government," he said. "We aren't talking any more about a mistake or one rocket, but the blatent breaking of the cease fire."
The cease fire that was signed at the end of the 50-day Operation Protective Edge last year, has loosely held for over nine months, although there have been as many as six rocket attacks in that time.
"The peace that we though would survive in our area after Protective Edge dissolved much quicker than we expected and we can't agree to this kind of reality," said Shimoni. "This is the moment to change it."
Saturday's code red sirens came after the IDF deployed Iron Dome batteries covering Ashdod and Netivot on Friday, following recent rocket attacks from Gaza.
After rocket strikes two weeks ago, Hamas claimed to have arrested those responsible, saying that local supporters of ISIS were responsible.
The recent rounds of rocket fire come as ISIS supporters in Gaza have been openly challenging Hamas, even threatening the ruling group with an ultimatum to end its crackdown on other groups. In response to the ultimatum, Hamas recently killed one of the ISIS supporters in a gun fight that erupted during an attempted arrest.
Salafist group in Gaza claims responsibility for rocket fired at Israel; no reports of injuries or damage as politicians push for military response.
One rocket was fired from Gaza at approximately 9:40 pm Saturday night, landing in an open area near Ashkelon, and inspiring a response from Yesh Atid MK Chaim Yellin who said, "Operation Protective Edge isn't over.
"Netanyahu is busy dividing the foreign ministry and rebuilding Gaza without disarming it. That's not how you run a country; that's not how you make sure your citizens are safe; that's not how you fight terror and international boycotts," said Yellin.
Residents in the south reported hearing at least one loud boom but the exact location of the rocket strike was initially unclear. A salafist group in Gaza who claimed responsibility for the last two rocket attacks on Israel, did so again Saturday night. No reports of injuries or damage were forth coming and authorities began searching for the fallen rocket. After a review of the situation, authorities decided that school would be held as normal on Sunday.
The Israel Air Force struck four targets in the Gaza Strip nearly two weeks ago in response to rocket fire at southern Israel, suggesting that a similar response would be likely on Saturday night.
Ashkelon Mayor Itamar Shimoni also had words for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the rocket fire Saturday. "This is a moment of truth for the Israeli government," he said. "We aren't talking any more about a mistake or one rocket, but the blatent breaking of the cease fire."
The cease fire that was signed at the end of the 50-day Operation Protective Edge last year, has loosely held for over nine months, although there have been as many as six rocket attacks in that time.
"The peace that we though would survive in our area after Protective Edge dissolved much quicker than we expected and we can't agree to this kind of reality," said Shimoni. "This is the moment to change it."
Saturday's code red sirens came after the IDF deployed Iron Dome batteries covering Ashdod and Netivot on Friday, following recent rocket attacks from Gaza.
After rocket strikes two weeks ago, Hamas claimed to have arrested those responsible, saying that local supporters of ISIS were responsible.
The recent rounds of rocket fire come as ISIS supporters in Gaza have been openly challenging Hamas, even threatening the ruling group with an ultimatum to end its crackdown on other groups. In response to the ultimatum, Hamas recently killed one of the ISIS supporters in a gun fight that erupted during an attempted arrest.
At least 1 rocket fired at Israel after two recent attacks from Gaza; no reports of injuries or damage after latest Sirens on Saturday.
Code red sirens were heard in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council and the city Ashkelon in the south of Israel at approximately 9:40 pm on Saturday, when at least one rocket was fired from Gaza, landing in an open area near the city of Ashkelon.
Residents in the south reported hearing at least one loud boom and it the exact location of the rocket strike was initially unclear. No reports of injuries or damage were immediately forth coming and authorities began searching for the fallen rocket.
Saturday's code red sirens came after the IDF deployed Iron Dome batteries covering Ashdod and Netivot on Friday, following recent rocket attacks from Gaza.
At least two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel last Wednesday at around 11 pm local time, with at least one of them falling in an open area in the Sdot Negev Regional Council. No one was hurt from the rocket fire.
The Israel Air Force struck four targets in the Gaza Strip nearly two weeks ago in response to rocket fire at southern Israel.
Hamas claimed to have arrested those responsible for the rocket fire, saying that local supporters of ISIS were responsible.
The recent rounds of rocket fire come as ISIS supporters in Gaza have been openly challenging Hamas, even threatening the ruling group with an ultimatum to end its crackdown on other groups. In response to the ultimatum, Hamas killed one of the ISIS supporters in a gun fight that erupted during an attempted arrest.
Code red sirens were heard in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council and the city Ashkelon in the south of Israel at approximately 9:40 pm on Saturday, when at least one rocket was fired from Gaza, landing in an open area near the city of Ashkelon.
Residents in the south reported hearing at least one loud boom and it the exact location of the rocket strike was initially unclear. No reports of injuries or damage were immediately forth coming and authorities began searching for the fallen rocket.
Saturday's code red sirens came after the IDF deployed Iron Dome batteries covering Ashdod and Netivot on Friday, following recent rocket attacks from Gaza.
At least two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel last Wednesday at around 11 pm local time, with at least one of them falling in an open area in the Sdot Negev Regional Council. No one was hurt from the rocket fire.
The Israel Air Force struck four targets in the Gaza Strip nearly two weeks ago in response to rocket fire at southern Israel.
Hamas claimed to have arrested those responsible for the rocket fire, saying that local supporters of ISIS were responsible.
The recent rounds of rocket fire come as ISIS supporters in Gaza have been openly challenging Hamas, even threatening the ruling group with an ultimatum to end its crackdown on other groups. In response to the ultimatum, Hamas killed one of the ISIS supporters in a gun fight that erupted during an attempted arrest.
Israeli navy ships opened fire, on Saturday morning, on a number of Palestinian fishing boats in Gaza territorial waters. Soldiers open fire on farmers in different areas.
Media sources said the navy attacked Palestinian fishing boats in the al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, in addition to Zawayda and Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
The attacks led to damage but no injuries; the fishers had to sail to shore to avoid further Israeli violations and assaults.
In addition, Israeli soldiers stationed across the border fence opened fire on Palestinian farmlands in two areas, northwest of the Gaza Strip, in addition to farmlands east of Gaza.
The army and the navy conduct daily violations against the Palestinians in different parts of the besieged coastal region, in addition to constant attacks against Gaza fishers and their boats.
Media sources said the navy attacked Palestinian fishing boats in the al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, in addition to Zawayda and Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
The attacks led to damage but no injuries; the fishers had to sail to shore to avoid further Israeli violations and assaults.
In addition, Israeli soldiers stationed across the border fence opened fire on Palestinian farmlands in two areas, northwest of the Gaza Strip, in addition to farmlands east of Gaza.
The army and the navy conduct daily violations against the Palestinians in different parts of the besieged coastal region, in addition to constant attacks against Gaza fishers and their boats.
5 june 2015
Dozens of Gazan women on Thursday participated in a protest sit-in demanding the Palestinian unity government to shoulder its humanitarian and legal responsibilities towards the Gaza Strip and pressure Israel to end its blockade.
The protest was staged by Palestinian women against the Siege outside the headquarters of the cabinet in Gaza, where the participants carried banners condemning what they described as the government's hypocrisy and accusing it of being responsible for the humanitarian suffering in the Strip.
Spokeswoman for the group Randa Swairki stated that the protest was organized on the first anniversary of the government's inception.
"We demand it to assume its responsibilities towards Gaza and pressure Israel to lift its blockade, which is ongoing for the ninth consecutive year," She said.
Hamas Organizes Protest against Unity Government, UNRWA
Hamas, on Friday, organized a march in Jabaliya refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, to protest the national unity government's alleged neglect of the coastal enclave, as well as policies of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
According to Ma'an News Agency, the march set off from mosques across the refugee camp following Friday prayers, and ended at a home destroyed during last summer's Israeli offensive on Gaza.
Hamas leader Muhammad Abu Askar said before the march that that while the unity government had been formed to serve all Palestinians, one year on the situation in Gaza is continuing to worsen.
"Hamdallah's government prevented employment in Gaza, and today UNRWA has stopped hiring and is shrinking its services for refugees and those who were affected by the war."
UNWRA, the largest service provider for refugees in the Gaza Strip, announced in February that it had been forced to stop a cash assistance program for tens of thousands of Palestinians to make repairs to damaged and destroyed homes due to a lack of donor funding.
Abu Askar called on President Mahmoud Abbas and UNRWA to uphold their responsibilities to Palestinians in Gaza, calling on UNRWA to take a neutral side and support those living in the beleaguered coastal enclave.
He also used the march to welcomed Freedom Flotilla III, which intends to arrive at the Gaza Strip with a limited cargo of supplies.
The flotilla will be the third of its kind to attempt to break "the illegal and inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip," according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The protest was staged by Palestinian women against the Siege outside the headquarters of the cabinet in Gaza, where the participants carried banners condemning what they described as the government's hypocrisy and accusing it of being responsible for the humanitarian suffering in the Strip.
Spokeswoman for the group Randa Swairki stated that the protest was organized on the first anniversary of the government's inception.
"We demand it to assume its responsibilities towards Gaza and pressure Israel to lift its blockade, which is ongoing for the ninth consecutive year," She said.
Hamas Organizes Protest against Unity Government, UNRWA
Hamas, on Friday, organized a march in Jabaliya refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, to protest the national unity government's alleged neglect of the coastal enclave, as well as policies of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
According to Ma'an News Agency, the march set off from mosques across the refugee camp following Friday prayers, and ended at a home destroyed during last summer's Israeli offensive on Gaza.
Hamas leader Muhammad Abu Askar said before the march that that while the unity government had been formed to serve all Palestinians, one year on the situation in Gaza is continuing to worsen.
"Hamdallah's government prevented employment in Gaza, and today UNRWA has stopped hiring and is shrinking its services for refugees and those who were affected by the war."
UNWRA, the largest service provider for refugees in the Gaza Strip, announced in February that it had been forced to stop a cash assistance program for tens of thousands of Palestinians to make repairs to damaged and destroyed homes due to a lack of donor funding.
Abu Askar called on President Mahmoud Abbas and UNRWA to uphold their responsibilities to Palestinians in Gaza, calling on UNRWA to take a neutral side and support those living in the beleaguered coastal enclave.
He also used the march to welcomed Freedom Flotilla III, which intends to arrive at the Gaza Strip with a limited cargo of supplies.
The flotilla will be the third of its kind to attempt to break "the illegal and inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip," according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The Israeli occupation forces arrested 60 Palestinian fishermen and seized or destroyed 30 fishing boats since the announcement of the ceasefire deal on August 26, the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions in Gaza said Thursday.
The general director of the union Sami al-Asami said in a statement that the Israeli occupation seized 77 boats over the last four years, returned 14 of them and destroyed five.
The Palestinian fisherman Tawfiq Said Abu Riyala was also murdered by the Israeli forces while he was working last March.
He added that among the 60 arrested fishermen three remain in Israeli custody on allegations of possessing fiberglass.
Al-Asami urged the human rights institutions to take a tougher line against Israeli attacks on Palestinian fishermen and farmers in the blockaded Gaza Strip and to urge the Israeli occupation to cease its flagrant violations of the ceasefire accord.
An Egyptian-brokered truce deal was struck between Palestinian resistance factions and the Israeli occupation in the wake of last summer’s Israeli offensive on the besieged coastal enclave. The aggression took away the lives of some 2,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
The general director of the union Sami al-Asami said in a statement that the Israeli occupation seized 77 boats over the last four years, returned 14 of them and destroyed five.
The Palestinian fisherman Tawfiq Said Abu Riyala was also murdered by the Israeli forces while he was working last March.
He added that among the 60 arrested fishermen three remain in Israeli custody on allegations of possessing fiberglass.
Al-Asami urged the human rights institutions to take a tougher line against Israeli attacks on Palestinian fishermen and farmers in the blockaded Gaza Strip and to urge the Israeli occupation to cease its flagrant violations of the ceasefire accord.
An Egyptian-brokered truce deal was struck between Palestinian resistance factions and the Israeli occupation in the wake of last summer’s Israeli offensive on the besieged coastal enclave. The aggression took away the lives of some 2,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) raided Friday morning Palestinian lands to the east of Gaza, in southern Israeli-besieged Gaza city.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that four Israeli military bulldozers advanced into Shujaia neighborhood and carried out combing operations.
The IOF has been conducting incursions and bombardment targeting the eastern outskirts of the blockaded enclave despite signing a ceasefire agreement in August, 2014 following 51 days of brutal aggression.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that four Israeli military bulldozers advanced into Shujaia neighborhood and carried out combing operations.
The IOF has been conducting incursions and bombardment targeting the eastern outskirts of the blockaded enclave despite signing a ceasefire agreement in August, 2014 following 51 days of brutal aggression.
4 june 2015
Several massive explosions rocked the Gaza Strip at predawn time on
Thursday amid multiple reports of Israeli jets buzzing the area.
At least three major blasts rocked Gaza city as online media outlets got flooded with reports of residents waking up to the sounds of airstrikes and Israeli F-16 jets flying over.
The strikes took place in the western part of the strip, near the Maqousi Towers residential area. Two empty resistance sites of the Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam Brigades were also struck with four missiles.
There were no immediate reports of casualties but Israeli combat jets continue to hover over Gaza’s sky.
Earlier, Wednesday evening, the Israeli occupation army claimed three rockets were launched from Gaza into Israeli-run open areas but cause no damage.
An ISIS affiliated group in Gaza claimed responsibility in what analysts believed a move to embarrass Hamas and use Israel in their attempts to gain foothold in Gaza.
Israel’s minister of agriculture Uri Ariel warned of “a strong” attack to hit Gaza in response to the alleged rocket fire.
The rocket strikes on the besieged coastal enclave mark another Israeli violation of the Cairo-brokered ceasefire accord struck with Palestinian resistance factions in the wake of Israel’s 51-day offensive last summer, which took away the lives of at least 2,300 Palestinians and left thousands of others critically wounded.
At least three major blasts rocked Gaza city as online media outlets got flooded with reports of residents waking up to the sounds of airstrikes and Israeli F-16 jets flying over.
The strikes took place in the western part of the strip, near the Maqousi Towers residential area. Two empty resistance sites of the Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam Brigades were also struck with four missiles.
There were no immediate reports of casualties but Israeli combat jets continue to hover over Gaza’s sky.
Earlier, Wednesday evening, the Israeli occupation army claimed three rockets were launched from Gaza into Israeli-run open areas but cause no damage.
An ISIS affiliated group in Gaza claimed responsibility in what analysts believed a move to embarrass Hamas and use Israel in their attempts to gain foothold in Gaza.
Israel’s minister of agriculture Uri Ariel warned of “a strong” attack to hit Gaza in response to the alleged rocket fire.
The rocket strikes on the besieged coastal enclave mark another Israeli violation of the Cairo-brokered ceasefire accord struck with Palestinian resistance factions in the wake of Israel’s 51-day offensive last summer, which took away the lives of at least 2,300 Palestinians and left thousands of others critically wounded.
Hamas senior official and MP Salah al-Bardawil said the Palestinian Authority (PA) steals the donors’ money allocated for improving the living conditions in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Commenting on the Palestinian Legislative Council’s (PLC) report, issued on Wednesday on financial corruption in terms of the money allocated for the Strip, Bardawil said the PA practices political revenge against the besieged enclave.
He addressed the donor parties including tax payers in donor countries saying “your money has been stolen and does not reach its beneficiaries”. He stressed the need to double check the parties to which money and aid are being sent.
Bardawil called on all segments of the Palestinian people to confront the PA corruption practiced in Ramallah.
He also called for activating the PLC as a monitoring authority on public money in order to limit the ongoing corruption.
He revealed that Gaza’s portion of the general budget reaches 40%, while it has been decreased to 27%. 13% has been stolen by PA leaders leaving Gaza suffering from unemployment, poverty and deprivation from payment of civil workers’ salaries.
Commenting on the Palestinian Legislative Council’s (PLC) report, issued on Wednesday on financial corruption in terms of the money allocated for the Strip, Bardawil said the PA practices political revenge against the besieged enclave.
He addressed the donor parties including tax payers in donor countries saying “your money has been stolen and does not reach its beneficiaries”. He stressed the need to double check the parties to which money and aid are being sent.
Bardawil called on all segments of the Palestinian people to confront the PA corruption practiced in Ramallah.
He also called for activating the PLC as a monitoring authority on public money in order to limit the ongoing corruption.
He revealed that Gaza’s portion of the general budget reaches 40%, while it has been decreased to 27%. 13% has been stolen by PA leaders leaving Gaza suffering from unemployment, poverty and deprivation from payment of civil workers’ salaries.
Gazans unable to travel due to Rafah crossing's closure started, on Tuesday, an open-ended hunger strike, calling for Egyptians to open it.
Days of Palestine reports that the hunger strikers set up a tent near the crossing and put up a number of posters including: “People stuck in Gaza call for Egyptian Authorities to open the Rafah crossing in both directions.”
Another poster read: “We call for the UN and all human rights organisations to facilitate the travel of Gaza’s patients… Gaza’s patients are awaiting death because of the closure of the crossing. We are humans… Where are President Abbas and the unity government?”
The hunger strikers said that they would continue their strike until the crossing is opened, calling for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian unity government to take action to make this happen.
Spokesman for the strikers, Majdi abu-Kareem, said that around 15,000 Palestinians need to travel urgently and they are “just waiting for the crossing to open”.
“Some of the people who are unable to travel are patients, some are university students and some are foreign passport holders facing expiration deadlines,” he said. “The passports of a number of foreign passport holders have expired.”
“The continuous closure of the crossing increases the suffering of the people of Gaza,” Abu-Kareem also said. “The closure makes the coastal enclave the biggest prison in the world.”
Days of Palestine reports that the hunger strikers set up a tent near the crossing and put up a number of posters including: “People stuck in Gaza call for Egyptian Authorities to open the Rafah crossing in both directions.”
Another poster read: “We call for the UN and all human rights organisations to facilitate the travel of Gaza’s patients… Gaza’s patients are awaiting death because of the closure of the crossing. We are humans… Where are President Abbas and the unity government?”
The hunger strikers said that they would continue their strike until the crossing is opened, calling for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian unity government to take action to make this happen.
Spokesman for the strikers, Majdi abu-Kareem, said that around 15,000 Palestinians need to travel urgently and they are “just waiting for the crossing to open”.
“Some of the people who are unable to travel are patients, some are university students and some are foreign passport holders facing expiration deadlines,” he said. “The passports of a number of foreign passport holders have expired.”
“The continuous closure of the crossing increases the suffering of the people of Gaza,” Abu-Kareem also said. “The closure makes the coastal enclave the biggest prison in the world.”
3 june 2015
Sdot Negev officials inspect the remains of the rocket that struck Wednesday night.
Israel's military reported, late Wednesda,y that two rockets were fired from the southern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army confirmed reports of rocket-warning sirens going off in Ashkelon and Netivot. No injures or damage were immediately reported, the military reported.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility from armed groups in Gaza.
Earlier Wednesday, Israeli forces continued near-daily incursions into the Gaza Strip, shooting and injuring one east of Khan Younis and detaining four fishermen off the coast of Gaza City.
Residents of the village of Khuzaa east of Khan Younis said that forces in Israeli watchtowers across the borders with Gaza opened fire at a Palestinian farmer because he came close to the border fence.
The 22-year-old man was in a moderate condition after being shot in the stomach, Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not have immediate information on the shooting.
Separately, Israeli naval forces detained four Gazan fishermen off the coast of Gaza City after obstructing and confiscating their boat, fishermen told Ma'an News Agency.
An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that two fishing vessels deviated from the designated fishing zone Wednesday morning. When the vessels failed to respond to warning shots fired into the air by Israeli naval forces, the forces escorted the vessels back to the shore, she added.
Noting multiple alleged attempts of weapons smuggling via boat into the Gaza Strip in recent months, the spokeswoman emphasized that every deviation from the designated zone is considered a security threat.
In a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas last summer, Israel agreed to expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles from shore and to continue to expand the area gradually, however fishermen are routinely stopped within the zone.
Three Palestinian fishermen have been shot dead by Israeli forces since September.
Risk of death or detention by Israeli forces is compounded by ongoing harassment and interference with their work from Israeli naval forces who frequently confiscate boats and fishing materials.
Israeli authorities also maintain a "buffer zone" along the Gaza-Israel border, however its exact limits are ambiguous. Farmers whose land lies within or close to the buffer zone face near daily fire or threat of fire from Israeli forces, often preventing them from cultivating their crops, rights groups say.
Gaza-based Israeli watchdog Al Mezan documented Israeli forces opening fire in the border areas six separate times during the first ten days of May, leaving four injured including one child.
According to Palestinian Center for Human Rights, the buffer zone, which Palestinians are prohibited from entering, "is illegal under both Israeli and international law."
Israel's military reported, late Wednesda,y that two rockets were fired from the southern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army confirmed reports of rocket-warning sirens going off in Ashkelon and Netivot. No injures or damage were immediately reported, the military reported.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility from armed groups in Gaza.
Earlier Wednesday, Israeli forces continued near-daily incursions into the Gaza Strip, shooting and injuring one east of Khan Younis and detaining four fishermen off the coast of Gaza City.
Residents of the village of Khuzaa east of Khan Younis said that forces in Israeli watchtowers across the borders with Gaza opened fire at a Palestinian farmer because he came close to the border fence.
The 22-year-old man was in a moderate condition after being shot in the stomach, Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not have immediate information on the shooting.
Separately, Israeli naval forces detained four Gazan fishermen off the coast of Gaza City after obstructing and confiscating their boat, fishermen told Ma'an News Agency.
An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that two fishing vessels deviated from the designated fishing zone Wednesday morning. When the vessels failed to respond to warning shots fired into the air by Israeli naval forces, the forces escorted the vessels back to the shore, she added.
Noting multiple alleged attempts of weapons smuggling via boat into the Gaza Strip in recent months, the spokeswoman emphasized that every deviation from the designated zone is considered a security threat.
In a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas last summer, Israel agreed to expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles from shore and to continue to expand the area gradually, however fishermen are routinely stopped within the zone.
Three Palestinian fishermen have been shot dead by Israeli forces since September.
Risk of death or detention by Israeli forces is compounded by ongoing harassment and interference with their work from Israeli naval forces who frequently confiscate boats and fishing materials.
Israeli authorities also maintain a "buffer zone" along the Gaza-Israel border, however its exact limits are ambiguous. Farmers whose land lies within or close to the buffer zone face near daily fire or threat of fire from Israeli forces, often preventing them from cultivating their crops, rights groups say.
Gaza-based Israeli watchdog Al Mezan documented Israeli forces opening fire in the border areas six separate times during the first ten days of May, leaving four injured including one child.
According to Palestinian Center for Human Rights, the buffer zone, which Palestinians are prohibited from entering, "is illegal under both Israeli and international law."
Israeli navy ships attacked, Wednesday, several Palestinian fishing boats in Gaza territorial waters, and kidnapped five fishers. Israeli army vehicles carried out a limited invasion into southern Gaza, opened fire moderately wounding one Palestinian.
Eyewitnesses said the navy ships fired rounds of live ammunition on Palestinian fishing boats, and surrounded them before kidnapping five fishers.
The kidnapped Palestinians have been identified as Haitham Tareq Abu Bakr, Mohammad Tareq Abu Bakr, Hasan Mahmoud Abu Sam'aan, Hasan Abdul-Rahman Abu Sam'aan and Mohammad Ali Morad.
They were forced into a navy ship, and were taken to an unknown destination.
Also on Wednesday, soldiers opened fire on a number of Palestinian farmers in their own lands, east of Khuza’a town, east of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis.
Medical sources said one Palestinian suffered a moderate injury, and was moved to a nearby hospital.
In addition several armored military vehicles carried out a limited invasion into Rafah.
Eyewitnesses said the navy ships fired rounds of live ammunition on Palestinian fishing boats, and surrounded them before kidnapping five fishers.
The kidnapped Palestinians have been identified as Haitham Tareq Abu Bakr, Mohammad Tareq Abu Bakr, Hasan Mahmoud Abu Sam'aan, Hasan Abdul-Rahman Abu Sam'aan and Mohammad Ali Morad.
They were forced into a navy ship, and were taken to an unknown destination.
Also on Wednesday, soldiers opened fire on a number of Palestinian farmers in their own lands, east of Khuza’a town, east of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis.
Medical sources said one Palestinian suffered a moderate injury, and was moved to a nearby hospital.
In addition several armored military vehicles carried out a limited invasion into Rafah.
19 Palestinian children injured in last summer’s Israeli offensive on Gaza came back home to the blockaded Strip on Tuesday after they had been in Germany for medical treatment.
Sources in the Gaza crossings department told the Anadolu news agency that 19 wounded Palestinian children arrived in the coastal enclave afternoon Tuesday via the Israeli-controlled Beit Hanoun border crossing after they had received medical therapy in German hospitals.
The Israeli occupation forces banned three German doctors accompanying the children from entering the Gaza Strip, the same sources added.
Spokesperson for the Gaza-headquarted Health Ministry, Ashraf al-Qudra, said, meanwhile, the children took a recovery trip to Germany to be treated for the serious and moderate wounds they sustained during last summer’s Israeli aggression on Gaza.
Many among the wounded children have been orphaned after Israel’s military operation took away the lives of their fathers and mothers.
A 51-day military aggression launched by the Israeli occupation on the besieged Gaza Strip on July 7 mercilessly bumped off some 2,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and left some 11,000 others, including 3,000 children, wounded.
Human rights institutions and medics said over 1,000 children have gone either paralyzed or wheelchaired during or in the wake of the offensive.
Sources in the Gaza crossings department told the Anadolu news agency that 19 wounded Palestinian children arrived in the coastal enclave afternoon Tuesday via the Israeli-controlled Beit Hanoun border crossing after they had received medical therapy in German hospitals.
The Israeli occupation forces banned three German doctors accompanying the children from entering the Gaza Strip, the same sources added.
Spokesperson for the Gaza-headquarted Health Ministry, Ashraf al-Qudra, said, meanwhile, the children took a recovery trip to Germany to be treated for the serious and moderate wounds they sustained during last summer’s Israeli aggression on Gaza.
Many among the wounded children have been orphaned after Israel’s military operation took away the lives of their fathers and mothers.
A 51-day military aggression launched by the Israeli occupation on the besieged Gaza Strip on July 7 mercilessly bumped off some 2,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and left some 11,000 others, including 3,000 children, wounded.
Human rights institutions and medics said over 1,000 children have gone either paralyzed or wheelchaired during or in the wake of the offensive.
Israeli soldiers opened fire, on Wednesday morning, on a number of Palestinian farmers in their own lands, east of Khuza’a town, east of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, moderately wounding one. A number of army vehicles also carried out a limited invasion into Rafah.
Medical sources said Farid Mohammad Najjar, 23 years of age, was shot in his leg, and was moved to a hospital in Khan Younis suffering a moderate, but stable, injury.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition into Palestinian agricultural lands, forcing the farmers to leave.
In addition, several armored Israeli military vehicles carried out a limited invasion into Rafah, in the southern part of the coastal region.
Locals said four military bulldozers, and a number of army vehicles, left the military base east of Rafah, and invaded Palestinian lands across the border fence.
The army, and the navy, conduct daily violations and assaults against the Palestinians in different parts of the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip, increasing the suffering of the residents of the war-torn region.
Medical sources said Farid Mohammad Najjar, 23 years of age, was shot in his leg, and was moved to a hospital in Khan Younis suffering a moderate, but stable, injury.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition into Palestinian agricultural lands, forcing the farmers to leave.
In addition, several armored Israeli military vehicles carried out a limited invasion into Rafah, in the southern part of the coastal region.
Locals said four military bulldozers, and a number of army vehicles, left the military base east of Rafah, and invaded Palestinian lands across the border fence.
The army, and the navy, conduct daily violations and assaults against the Palestinians in different parts of the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip, increasing the suffering of the residents of the war-torn region.
2 june 2015
The Deputy Head of Hamas says there has been no humanitarian or economic progress in the Gaza Strip since the national consensus government was formed a year ago.
According to Ma'an, Ismail Haniyeh says that the situation in Gaza has not changed at all due to the ongoing Israeli blockade, as well as the lack of reconstruction and crises in salary, water, and electricity.
Last June, a government consensus was formed and Haniyeh said he had hoped that a unity government would start taking as much responsibility for Gaza as it does for the West Bank.
Haniyeh says the government was given "three main objectives in the Cairo agreement: ending the blockade and accomplishing reconstruction, working on uniting Palestinian Authority institutions in the two parts of Palestine, and preparing for legislative, presidential, and national council elections" and that after a year, not one of these objectives had been met.
He said he still believes that the government still has a chance to meet its objectives and represent all Palestinians indiscriminately, as well as to treat the West Bank and the Gaza Strip equally.
Despite this, the relationship between Hamas and Fatah is continuing to decline.
Haniyeh also said he encourages visits to Gaza by international councils and ambassadors, saying that "exploratory" visits allow people to witness the tragedy Gazans face. He says the visits bring practical results that reduce the suffering of people in Gaza.
He stated that he believes these delegations, especially the German delegation, will speed up reconstruction and help end the blockade as well as help pressure the Israeli government to end its aggressive attitude towards civilians.
He says the people are in dire need of economic aid but that it can only be achieved if Israel ends the blockade on the Strip.
At the current rate, it would take up to 100 years for Gaza to be reconstructed.
According to Ma'an, Ismail Haniyeh says that the situation in Gaza has not changed at all due to the ongoing Israeli blockade, as well as the lack of reconstruction and crises in salary, water, and electricity.
Last June, a government consensus was formed and Haniyeh said he had hoped that a unity government would start taking as much responsibility for Gaza as it does for the West Bank.
Haniyeh says the government was given "three main objectives in the Cairo agreement: ending the blockade and accomplishing reconstruction, working on uniting Palestinian Authority institutions in the two parts of Palestine, and preparing for legislative, presidential, and national council elections" and that after a year, not one of these objectives had been met.
He said he still believes that the government still has a chance to meet its objectives and represent all Palestinians indiscriminately, as well as to treat the West Bank and the Gaza Strip equally.
Despite this, the relationship between Hamas and Fatah is continuing to decline.
Haniyeh also said he encourages visits to Gaza by international councils and ambassadors, saying that "exploratory" visits allow people to witness the tragedy Gazans face. He says the visits bring practical results that reduce the suffering of people in Gaza.
He stated that he believes these delegations, especially the German delegation, will speed up reconstruction and help end the blockade as well as help pressure the Israeli government to end its aggressive attitude towards civilians.
He says the people are in dire need of economic aid but that it can only be achieved if Israel ends the blockade on the Strip.
At the current rate, it would take up to 100 years for Gaza to be reconstructed.
Heavy machinegun fire unleashed by the Israeli occupation navy off Gaza’s northern shores at dawn Tuesday left three Palestinian fishermen injured.
Quds Press quoted head of the Union of Gaza’s Fishermen, Nizar Ayash, as stating that the Israeli occupation navy showered Palestinian fishing boats setting sail in Gaza’s northern sea with waves of machinegun fire.
Three Palestinian fishermen onboard of a fishing vessel sustained wounds in the process.
The casualties were rushed to the Shifa Hospital in Gaza to be treated for the inflicted wounds.
The other Palestinian fishermen went ashore for fear of escalated aggression by the Israeli naval forces.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, the Israeli occupation navy kidnapped five Palestinian fishermen fishing in Gaza waters and docked their boat in an Israeli-run port in the 1948 occupied territories.
Gaza fishermen navigating within the unilaterally-imposed six-nautical-miles fishing zone in the Gaza Sea have been permanent targets of Israeli warships.
A ceasefire deal between Palestinian resistance factions and the Israeli occupation on August 26, struck in the wake of last summer’s military offensive on the blockaded coastal enclave, stipulated that Israel would expand the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast up to 6 nautical miles from shore and would continue to expand this area gradually.
However, the Israeli occupation has never fulfilled the pledge, regularly breaching the truce accord by opening fire on Palestinian fishermen who put out to see on a daily basis to seek a living for their starved children in the blockaded Strip.
Quds Press quoted head of the Union of Gaza’s Fishermen, Nizar Ayash, as stating that the Israeli occupation navy showered Palestinian fishing boats setting sail in Gaza’s northern sea with waves of machinegun fire.
Three Palestinian fishermen onboard of a fishing vessel sustained wounds in the process.
The casualties were rushed to the Shifa Hospital in Gaza to be treated for the inflicted wounds.
The other Palestinian fishermen went ashore for fear of escalated aggression by the Israeli naval forces.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, the Israeli occupation navy kidnapped five Palestinian fishermen fishing in Gaza waters and docked their boat in an Israeli-run port in the 1948 occupied territories.
Gaza fishermen navigating within the unilaterally-imposed six-nautical-miles fishing zone in the Gaza Sea have been permanent targets of Israeli warships.
A ceasefire deal between Palestinian resistance factions and the Israeli occupation on August 26, struck in the wake of last summer’s military offensive on the blockaded coastal enclave, stipulated that Israel would expand the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast up to 6 nautical miles from shore and would continue to expand this area gradually.
However, the Israeli occupation has never fulfilled the pledge, regularly breaching the truce accord by opening fire on Palestinian fishermen who put out to see on a daily basis to seek a living for their starved children in the blockaded Strip.
1 june 2015
Germany's foreign minister described, during a short visit to Gaza on Monday, the conditions in the besieged Strip as a powder keg, calling for taking care that it doesn't ignite.
In a press conference, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who arrived in Gaza Monday morning, described the interior conditions in Gaza as catastrophic which must not continue.
He said that he is working with Palestinian and Israeli officials on changing the tragic reality in the blockaded enclave as well as assuring the prevention of a new coming war.
Steinmeier underlined that Germany continue its support of Palestinians in the Strip via international and UN relief organizations, adding that it will contribute to rebuild Gaza after the 51-day war between Israel and Palestinian resistance factions.
“The situation here is not easy. I have seen destruction and met with people who lost their homes and work. We will continue to offer aid and dignity life to them”, the Germany’s foreign minister said.
"We cannot wait until talks about a two-state solution are back on track, to improve living conditions," Steinmeier added.
Germany's foreign minister called for opening the enclave's borders for economic recovery from last year's Israeli devastating war on Gaza.
Despite billions of dollars having been pledged for reconstruction, there has been little progress in rebuilding the Gaza strip following last summer's war, which saw more than 2,200 Palestinians killed.
In a press conference, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who arrived in Gaza Monday morning, described the interior conditions in Gaza as catastrophic which must not continue.
He said that he is working with Palestinian and Israeli officials on changing the tragic reality in the blockaded enclave as well as assuring the prevention of a new coming war.
Steinmeier underlined that Germany continue its support of Palestinians in the Strip via international and UN relief organizations, adding that it will contribute to rebuild Gaza after the 51-day war between Israel and Palestinian resistance factions.
“The situation here is not easy. I have seen destruction and met with people who lost their homes and work. We will continue to offer aid and dignity life to them”, the Germany’s foreign minister said.
"We cannot wait until talks about a two-state solution are back on track, to improve living conditions," Steinmeier added.
Germany's foreign minister called for opening the enclave's borders for economic recovery from last year's Israeli devastating war on Gaza.
Despite billions of dollars having been pledged for reconstruction, there has been little progress in rebuilding the Gaza strip following last summer's war, which saw more than 2,200 Palestinians killed.
Israeli naval boats, Monday, opened machine gunfire on Palestinian fishing boats and detained five fishermen offshore the Sudaniya to the northwest of Gaza.
According to WAFA correspondence, Israeli naval boats opened machine gunfire on fishing boats sailing within the unilaterally-imposed six-nautical-miles fishing zone offshore Gaza city and detained five fishermen.
The detained fishermen were identified as Rami, 28, Muhammad and Zaki al-Najjar as well as ‘Adel, 42, and Yousef Abu Rayyala, 18. They were taken to the Israeli seaport of Ashdod.
Israeli naval boats routinely open fire on Palestinian fishermen sailing within the six-nautical-miles zone and farmlands along the border, flagrantly violating the ceasefire deal.
Israel and the Palestinian factions inked a ceasefire deal on August 26, ending the latest 2014 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, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles from shore, and would continue to expand the area gradually.
Israel has however failed to do so, repeatedly violating the ceasefire deal through opening fire on Palestinian fishermen within the fishing zone and reducing their income.
Continuing the Cairo-brokered talks on 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 election and took over power in the strip.
The current six-nautical-mile fishing zone falls drastically short of the twenty nautical miles allocated to Palestinian fishermen in the 1993 Oslo Accords.
According to WAFA correspondence, Israeli naval boats opened machine gunfire on fishing boats sailing within the unilaterally-imposed six-nautical-miles fishing zone offshore Gaza city and detained five fishermen.
The detained fishermen were identified as Rami, 28, Muhammad and Zaki al-Najjar as well as ‘Adel, 42, and Yousef Abu Rayyala, 18. They were taken to the Israeli seaport of Ashdod.
Israeli naval boats routinely open fire on Palestinian fishermen sailing within the six-nautical-miles zone and farmlands along the border, flagrantly violating the ceasefire deal.
Israel and the Palestinian factions inked a ceasefire deal on August 26, ending the latest 2014 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, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles from shore, and would continue to expand the area gradually.
Israel has however failed to do so, repeatedly violating the ceasefire deal through opening fire on Palestinian fishermen within the fishing zone and reducing their income.
Continuing the Cairo-brokered talks on 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 election and took over power in the strip.
The current six-nautical-mile fishing zone falls drastically short of the twenty nautical miles allocated to Palestinian fishermen in the 1993 Oslo Accords.
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