Since 2000, Israel has maintained a “buffer zone” along the Gaza border,
within Gaza, restricting Palestinians’ access to their farmland and
killing or injuring hundreds of civilians who posed no danger. Since
2014, the military has also sprayed herbicides to maintain the “buffer
zone”, damaging land it authorizes owners to cultivate. In January,
spraying without prior notice caused farmers serious damage. If Israel
believes a “sterile” is crucial to its security, it must establish the
zone in its own territory.