The Buffer Zone in the Gaza Strip
PCHR Fact Sheet March
2011
The
so-called “buffer zone” is a military no-go area that extends along the entire
northern and eastern perimeter of the Gaza Strip’s border with Israel, inside
Palestinian territory, as well as at sea. The precise areas designated by
Israel as “buffer zone” are unknown; changing Israeli policy is typically
enforced with live fire.
Dimensions
On land: inside Palestinian · Oslo Accords: 50 meters · Second Intifada (2000): 150 metres · January 2010, according to Israel: 300 metres · In reality: 300 metres – 2 kilometres | At sea: area off coast for · Oslo Accords: 20 nautical miles · Bertini Commitment (2002): 12 nautical miles · October 2006: 6 nautical miles · Since June 2007: 3 nautical miles |
Impact
On Land · Approximately 27, 000 dunums of land can only be accessed · Approximately 30% of Gaza’s agricultural land cannot be | At Sea · The fishing industry is severely impacted, as it supports the · The area near the coast is markedly over-fished.
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Attacks in the buffer zone
Attacks in the buffer zone in April 2012
Persons Killed | Persons Wounded | Persons Arrested | Property (houses and |
2 | 6 | 12 fishermen | 5 |
Classification of attacks in the buffer zone in April 2012
Incursions | Bombardments | Firing | Pamphlet dropping | Violations against fishermen | Total of attacks |
9 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 32 |
Description | Persons Killed | Persons Wounded | Persons Arrested | Property (houses and establishments) destroyed |
Incursions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bombardments | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Firing | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Incidents caused by army remnants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Violations against fishermen | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 |
Total of attacks | 2 | 6 | 11 | 5 |
Note: In
violations against fishermen, more than one fisherman can be wounded or
arrested in each violation.