IOF detain 4 Palestinian fishermen

[ 14/02/2010 - 11:59 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Sunday kidnapped four Palestinian fishermen at sea north of the Gaza Strip while fishing, the fisheries department in the PA agriculture ministry in Gaza said. It added that the IOF gunboats attacked two small Palestinian fishing boats and kidnapped the four fishermen all of one family. The ministry held the IOF fully responsible for lives of the fisherman and the suffering of Palestinian fishermen in general. It asked for daring stands on the part of international organizations to protect Palestinian fishermen. The dean of Palestinian fishermen Nizar Ayash said that the Israeli military navy tries to empty Gaza coastline from fishermen and deliberately assault them on a daily basis. Ayash affirmed that the Israeli gunboats always open fire at fishermen in Rafah and northern Gaza coast, pointing out that over the past ten years, the losses of the fishing sector amounted to $17,000,000. He added that Israel killed during this period eight fishermen, kidnapped 200 others and wounded dozens. De facto gov't: 4 fishermen detained by Israeli navy off Gaza coast Published yesterday 16:54 [MaanImages] Gaza – Ma'an – Israeli naval forces detained four Gazan fishermen off the Sudaniyya coast of northern Gaza, according to Nixar Ayyash, head f the Union of Fishermen in Gaza. Sources within the de facto government identified those detained as Awad Ramadan Sultan, Fadl Jamal Sultan, Sharif Muhammad Sultan, and Samih Rajab Sultan. The de facto Ministry of Interior called for the fishermen's immediate release urged international human rights groups to protect Gaza's fishermen. An Israeli military spokesman said the following: "Earlier today two Palestinian fishing boats crossed into an area not permitted for Palestinian sea vessels. An IDF naval force called on the crew to halt. When the latter failed to comply the boats were lead to the Ashdod port where the crews were taken for security questioning." IOF Open Fire at Palestinian Fishing Boats and Arrest four of them in North Gaza District At app. 6:45am on Sunday 14 February 2010,  Israeli naval vessels that patrol the sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats north of Al Waha resort in Biet Lahyia in the North Gaza District. IOF military boats moved towards two of the fishing boats and rounded on them. The IOF ordered four fishermen who were on the fishing boats to swim towards the IOF boats and arrested the four of them. The IOF also confiscated their boats. Al Mezan identified their names as follows: ·         Sharif Mohammed Al Abed As-Sultan,37; ·         Sameh Rajab Al Abed As-Sultan,23; ·         AAwad Ghalib Ramadan As-Sultan,21; and ·         Sadel Jamal Ramadan As-Sultan,18.   At app. 7pm on the same day, the IOF released Sharif and Sameh As-Sultan while the other two fishermen are still being detained. Al Mezan's advocates are following up the development of their detention.