PCHR weekly report 20-26/8/2009: 1 child killed , 3 Palestinians injured in farmlands close to the green line

excerpt from PCHR weekly report No. 34/2009 20 - 26 August 2009

Friday, 21 August 2009

At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces moved nearly 200 meters into al-Farrahin area in the east of 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of land they had already razed. Later, they moved towards Khuza'a village and al-Fukhari areas and leveled areas of land there. This incursion continued until 18:00.

Saturday, 22 August 2009

At approximately 11:45, Murad Salman al-Wazir, 17, from Sheikh Zayed housing project in Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip, was admitted into Beit Hanoun Hospital as he was wounded by a gunshot to the left leg after being shot by Israeli troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. The child was at least 900 meters away from the border when he was shot.

Sunday, 23 August 2009

At approximately 17:45, Israeli forces positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Beir Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian houses and farmers. As a result, Fawzi 'Ali Qassem, 63, was wounded by a gunshot to the left thigh, when he was on his land which is located at least 1,800 meters away from, the border.

Monday, 24 August 2009

At approximately 15:15, Israeli troops positioned to the northwest of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip (along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel) fired at two Palestinian civilians from Beit Lahia who got close to the border. Sa’id ‘Ata al-Hussumi, 16, was instantly killed by two bullets to the chest, and Mas’oud Mohammed Tanboura, 19, was seriously wounded by several bullets to the chest. Al-Husumi and Tanboura were working in a farm in Beit Lahia town, approximately 350 meters away from the border fence. They attempted to get close to the border to find metal wires to sell them. They were unarmed.

Israel has illegally prohibited movement near the border fence in the north and in the east of the Gaza Strip. The prohibition applies to within a distance of 300 meters from the border fence inside the Gaza Strip. Accordingly, Palestinian farmers are denied access to their lands. Thus, they are denied their right to cultivate these lands or even to approach them. In many cases, Palestinians come under Israeli gunfire from distances that exceed 300 meters. PCHR has documented many deaths, including children, as a result of Israeli forces firing at civilians while in the proximity of these areas.