News / Palestine

Israeli soldiers fatally shoot elderly Palestinian farmer in central Gaza Strip

Tuesday, 02 October 2018 7:03 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 02 October 2018 7:07 PM ]

Late Palestinian farmer Ibrahim al-Arrouqi (Photo via Twitter)

Israeli military forces have shot and killed an elderly Palestinian farmer in the central part of the Gaza Strip as anti-occupation rallies continue unabated along the border between the besieged coastal enclave and Israeli-occupied territories.

Gazan Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said the 78-year-old Palestinian, identified as Ibrahim al-Arrouqi, was transported to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, located over 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) south of Gaza City, where he succumbed to his grave injuries.

Palestinian sources, requesting anonymity, said the elderly man had been shot in the back, while working in his land east of Maghazi refugee camp.

More than 195 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces ever since anti-occupation protest rallies began in the Gaza Strip on March 30. Approximately 21,000 Palestinians have also sustained injuries.

Paramedics carry an injured Palestinian protester during a demonstration on the beach near the maritime border with Israeli-occupied territories, in the northern Gaza Strip, on October 1, 2018. (Photo by AFP)

The Gaza clashes reached their peak on May 14, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of Nakba Day (Day of Catastrophe), which coincided this year with the US embassy relocation from Tel Aviv to occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds.

On June 13, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, sponsored by Turkey and Algeria, condemning Israel for Palestinian civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip.

The resolution, which had been put forward on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries, garnered a strong majority of 120 votes in the 193-member assembly, with 8 votes against and 45 abstentions.

A Palestinian protester throws a stone towards Israeli forces during clashes on the beach near the maritime border with Israeli-occupied territories, in the northern Gaza Strip, on October 1, 2018. (Photo by AFP)

The resolution called on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to make proposals within 60 days “on ways and means for ensuring the safety, protection, and well-being of the Palestinian civilian population under Israeli occupation,” including “recommendations regarding an international protection mechanism.”

It also called for “immediate steps towards ending the closure and the restrictions imposed by Israel on movement and access into and out of the Gaza Strip.”

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