Israel, Palestinians trade blame for truce violations

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip traded blame for violating a week-old ceasefire brokered by Egypt.

Since the truce started on June 19, Israeli forces have opened fire in the Gaza Strip at least eight times, wounding two people, according to U.N. sources.

Palestinian militants fired rockets and mortars into southern Israel at least three times, causing no casualties, according to the Israeli army. Israel responded by keeping its border crossings with the Gaza Strip closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

Below are the incidents:"

more

[Scurrilous]

1. UN: Israel violated truce 7 times in one week

UN records 7 incidents of IDF soldiers attempting to drive Palestinian farmers away from border fence by shooting at them. Only one offence marked against Palestinians for firing on Sderot; report does not include most recent rocket fire

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3560972,00.html

<snip>

"Since it went into effect last week, at least eight violations of the new ceasefire agreement with Hamas and the Palestinian factions have been recorded, a UN source told Ynet on Thursday. According to the source, seven violations were committed by the IDF, while the Palestinians are responsible for just one.

However the UN report does not include the Qassam fire launched towards the Negev during the day. "It is important that both sides honor the ceasefire, in order for it to be the first constructive step towards a wider and more extensive peace process between the sides," the source said.

Most of the offences committed by the IDF include shots fired by soldiers at Palestinian farmers attempting to reach their land near the border security fence. According to the UN, on June 20 an IDF patrol shot at Palestinian farmers near the fence east of Rafah. The soldiers fired for ten minutes in order to drive the farmers away, but no injuries were reported.

During the evening of the same day a similar incident was recorded, in which IDF forces shot at Palestinian farmers near the Maghazi refugee camp. Soldiers reportedly fired for five minutes, and no injuries were reported. An hour later soldiers fired towards fisherman near the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahiya in an attempt to drive them away.

Early on June 21 Navy forces opened fire in the same area, and later the same morning forces fired towards Palestinians near the Maghazi refugee camp. No injuries were reported in either case.

70-year old Jamil al-Gahoul was injured from IDF fire two days later, when an army patrol opened fire on a group of Palestinians reportedly gathering wood near Beit Lahiya at 7 am."

[shira]

3. so....

..if I understand this UN report correctly, the IDF was just firing against - um, actually around - random Palestinian targets for sport? Seems like the IDF was firing warning shots, so why doesn't the UN just report that? And how are warning shots against those who have no business approaching the fence/wall/border a violation of the truce? Or better yet, how are warning shots as equally egregious as the firing of rockets at civilian populations?

[Violet_Crumble]

4. Of couse they're a violation of the truce...

Didn't you read the article that was posted? There were shots fired at farmers who were heading out to tend their land near the border. A ceasefire means no hostilities from EITHER side, and despite the attempts of some to justify the violence of one side or the either, none of the violations are justified...

[shira]

5. The IDF doesn't just take potshots at farmers

If I had a dime for every false accusation against the IDF (made either by the media, the UN, etc..) I could retire young.

I'm sorry to say that I have a hard time believing the UN story about a farmer tending crops and being shot at for no particular reason. Such accusations are normally rebuffed soon after when the facts are eventually known. Call me cynical. The fact is that it's quite obvious warning shots were fired in almost all these reported violations of the truce. I doubt warning shots against perceived threats are actual violations of this or any ceasefire and it would be nice to see the UN state this.

[henank]

6. You - and the UN - cleverly omitted a principal truce violation

by the Hamas - the minor details of several Kassam rockets being fired.

However the UN report does not include the Qassam fire launched towards the Negev during the day.

Now how come they don't count as truce violations? I know! Because they were shot AT Israelis and not BY Israelis. Simple isn't it when you know how! :sarcasm:

And that is why Israelis pay almost no heed to the UN, because of its overt imbalance.

[eyl]

7. Seems the UN is undercounting Palestinian violations

There have been at least two violations since the cease-fire came into effect (mind you, I haven't been following the news much)

EDIT - the list of violations in the OP - which, as I understand, is based on UN sources - lists three Palestinian violations; one of which predates the one mentioned in your article.

[azurnoir]

2. So in reality

it was Israel who violated the truce on the second day?

How ever did the media miss that one? Quick look over here:sarcasm:

Can hardly wait to hear how this does not count, wait let me guess IDF was in Israel when they did it, yeah that will wash well.