LOC19:14
16:14 GMT
Flooded land in Gaza Strip
GAZA, Jan 12 (KUNA) -- Israeli occupation authorities have flooded large swaths of land cultivate by Palestinian framers on eastern fringes of Gaza Strip.
Palestiian Ministry of Agriculture in Gaza said in a statement on Sunday that the Israelis opened dams and rainwater canals, causing a torrent that ravaged more than 820 donums of land where the farmers grow various species of vegetables, keep cattle and bees.
Cost of the damage caused of the Israelis' triggered deluge is in the range of half a million dollars, the ministry said, accusing Israel of intentionally inflicting damage in the agricultureal areas in the Gaza strip.
Total crops have been wasted due to the destructive water inflow into the fields.
Ministry teams who went to the swamped locations for examination were targeted with tear gas by the occupation troops.
Israeli troops stationed at outposts close to the demarcation line repeatedly target Palestinian farmers and hinder them from reaching their groves. (Donum=1,000 square meters). (end)
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