May 13, 2008

Khan Younis / PNN – Israeli forces destroyed green houses, farms, fruit trees and land in the southern Gaza Strip’s Khan Younis area throughout the night.

The Mayor of the eastern town of Khoza’, Sheikh Kamal Najjar, reported that "the bulldozers and tanks of the Israeli occupation penetrated the eastern side of town which exploded with destruction on Tuesday. They washed away more than 500 dunams of land belonging to our citizens."

Mayor Najjar explained that farmers experienced heavy losses as Israeli forces dug up their lands closest to the boundary near the Israeli military encampments. "This is 400 meters away and their intention is a scheme to erase all manifestations of life from these areas."

The head of the municipality estimated losses of farmers since the start of the Israeli bulldozing campaign in the area at one million US dollars, saying that the eastern regions of the Gaza Strip are plagued by this, particularly Khoza’. He called on all media to visit the region and "transfer the message to the world."

Mayor Najjar said that the bulldozers, which withdrew this morning, washed away nearly 30 acres of greenhouses and 200 acres planted with olive trees and fruit, five poultry farms, in addition to dozens of acres planted with wheat, barley and other crops.

He called on the Palestinian government and relevant institutions to work to compensate "those affected by this Israeli policy which aims to inflict a heavy toll, since agriculture is the sole source of livelihood."

Several bulldozers and tanks penetrated beginning during the late hours of Monday, coming from eastern Khoza’s Abu Redah Gate. They began razing trees and destroying greenhouses, farms and uprooting trees immediately. The devastation reigned throughout the night until the Israeli forces withdrew Tuesday morning.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the destroyed land and property belongs to the Abu Tiam, Abu Duka, Qudeih, Omeish and Radwan families.

The mayor added that Israeli forces bulldozed another large area 500 meters into the Strip on their way out.