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Unarmed demonstrators shot in Gazan ‘buffer zone’

International Solidarity Movement | 25.04.2010 12:28 | Anti-militarism | Other Press | Palestine

El Maghazi, Deir Al Balah, Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territories, 24th April 2010, 12PM – At a peaceful nonviolent demonstration against the forceful cessation of farming within what Israel defines as a “buffer zone,” which was attended by 150 people, two Palestinians demonstrators and one International activist were shot. Israeli soldiers opened fire on the demonstrators from the border fence. Nidal Al Naji (18) was shot in the right thigh. Hind Al Akra (22) was shot in the stomach and is undergoing emergency surgery. Bianca Zimmit (28) from Malta was filming the demonstration when she was shot in her left thigh. The wounded are currently being treated in Al Aqsa Hospital.

Shortly after 11 a.m., women and men, including 6 ISM activists, marched from Al Maghazi towards the Israeli fence closing off the Gaza strip. After being met with live ammunition upon cresting a ridge, some demonstrators continued walking forward. This group included six women, two ISM activists and 20 men. The 20 male demonstrators reached the border fence. Zimmit was shot while filming the demonstration between the ridge and the fence, at a distance of roughly 80-100 meters. Hind Al Akra, also standing between the ridge and the fence, was shot in the stomach, and Niadal al Naji was shot in the leg near the fence. Demonstrators carried the wounded back across rough terrain to taxis for transport to Al-Aqsa Hospital.

The demonstrations are held in protest against the arbitrary decision by Israel to instate a 300 metre buffer zone as no-go area for Palestinians where “shoot to kill” policy is implemented. People have been shot regularly as far as 2 kilometres away from the border. Popular Campaign for the Security in the Buffer Zone, an umbrella organization that includes organizations representing farmers and Gaza residents living near the border, and also a number of political parties are present at many of these demonstrations.

Those venturing to the border regions to gather rubble and steel do so as a result of the siege on Gaza which, along with Israel’s 23 day winter war on Gaza, has decimated Gaza’s economy, including 95 percent of Gaza’s factories and businesses, according to the United Nations. Additionally, these recycled construction materials are vital in Gaza where the Israeli-led siege bans all but under 40 items from entering.

The siege prevents vitally needed construction materials from entering Gaza, where over 6,400 houses were destroyed or severely damaged in the Israeli war on Gaza, and nearly 53,000 sustained lesser damages. Hospitals and medical centres, schools, kindergartens and mosques are among the other buildings destroyed and damaged during the Israeli war on Gaza.

Go to linked article to see video.

International Solidarity Movement
- Homepage: http://palsolidarity.org/2010/04/12112

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What really happened (1)

26.04.2010 13:21


Palestinians wounded at Gaza fence
By JPOST.COM STAFF
24/04/2010 19:23

Protesters refuse to leave barrier area, wounded by IDF fire.
Talkbacks (4)

Six were wounded from IDF fire during a demonstration near the barrier fence around Gaza on Saturday, according to Palestinian sources.

The IDF confirmed Saturday afternoon that a force opened fire on a group of protesters at the barrier fence. According to IDF spokesperson the force identified only one person hit.

The Palestinians reported an international activist from Malta was lightly wounded from a bullet in her leg, and a young Palestinian woman was severely wounded from a shot that hit her stomach. Israel Radio reported the Maltese woman’s organization claims she was photographing the demonstration.

The IDF reported the group was protesting near Maghzi refugee camp in central Gaza strip, the IDF unit that was called to the spot tried to disperse the demonstrators by shooting in the air, but once this failed, fired at the demonstrators’ lower halves.

The IDF stated the area was one were explosives had been planted and IDF units ambushed on numerous occasions, and it would not allow Palestinians to enter the area surrounding the fence as this endangers its soldiers.

Incidents have been multiplying along the Gaza border recently, IDF reports.

Muppetwatch


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Any fule kno...

26.04.2010 13:24

"Those venturing to the border regions to gather rubble and steel do so as a result of the siege on Gaza which, along with Israel’s 23 day winter war on Gaza, has decimated Gaza’s economy, including 95 percent of Gaza’s factories and businesses, according to the United Nations. Additionally, these recycled construction materials are vital in Gaza where the Israeli-led siege bans all but under 40 items from entering.

The siege prevents vitally needed construction materials from entering Gaza, where over 6,400 houses were destroyed or severely damaged in the Israeli war on Gaza, and nearly 53,000 sustained lesser damages. Hospitals and medical centres, schools, kindergartens and mosques are among the other buildings destroyed and damaged during the Israeli war on Gaza. "

Any ful kno that steel is used by terrorist groups in Gaza to manufacture rockets and "rubble" for arms-smuggling tunnels and terrorist bunkers, for example beneath schools, hospitals and mosques. The mosques damaged or destroyed during last year's war were being used to store weapons, thus becoming legitimate targets in international law.

Reality check


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