CPSGaza
At 7:51 am, the Oliva left the Gaza Seaport carrying its Palestinian captain, an international crew of an American and a German, and two journalists from a Palestinian news agency.
At 8:49 am, the Oliva was at 31° 33.77N / 034° 24.53E near three hasakas, a trawler, and an Israeli warship that appeared to move along the three-nautical mile line.
A second Israeli warship to the south of the Oliva was seen to activate its water cannon, although no target was obvious from our distance. This warship then also moved onto the three-nautical mile line.
At 10:43 am, the Oliva began its return to the Seaport, where it arrived at 10:57 am.
Background:
Israel has been regularly attacking Palestinian fishermen within the purported 3 nautical mile fishing limit. The livelihood of many Gazans relies on fishing and Israel has been using live ammunition and water cannons to prevent fishermen from doing their work.
The Israeli Siege continues after more than 4 years, limiting the sea area available for the Gaza population. This area was supposed to be 20 miles according to the Jericho agreements from 1994 (under the Oslo accords), then it was reduced to 12 miles, to 6 miles and now to 3 miles since December 2008.
The Civil Peace Services continue monitoring potential human rights violations at the sea in front of the Gaza Strip.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
PCHR weekly report 22/9 - 28/9/2011: 2 attacks opposite Beit Lahia, nets destroyed
extracts from PCHR weekly report 22/9 - 28/9/2011:
IOF continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
It should be noted that Israeli gunboats carried out a similar attack on Tuesday morning, 20 September 2011, when they fired at Palestinian fishermen and at their boats, destroyed some fishing nets and pulled some other nets into the sea. Such attacks result in the loss of fishermen's living resources and put their lives at risk.
At approximately 04:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to flee towards the beach. No casualties were reported.
IOF continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
Thursday, 22 September 2011
At approximately 07:45, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahi beach in the in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats which were near the shore. At approximately 08:00, IOF boats approached the shore and destroyed fishing nets owned by Palestinian fishermen and pulled some fishing nets into the sea. As the Israeli boats approached the shore, Palestinian fishermen fled the area in fear for their lives leaving their equipment and fishing tools in the sea or at the beach. No casualties were reported. Palestinian fishermen who lost their fishing nets include: Qussai Mohammed Abed al-Sultan, 33; Ramadan Ghaleb Ramadan al-Sultan, 36; Mu’nis Abed Ramadan Zayed, 34; Ahed Ziad Mahmoud Zayed, 34; and Subuh Mohammed Hassan al-Sultan, 50, who all live in Beit Lahia.
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
At approximately 04:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to flee towards the beach. No casualties were reported.
Monday, September 26, 2011
International activists in Gaza defiant despite repeated attacks
26 September 2011 | Islam Online, Hama Waqum
The Civil Peace Service (CPS) Gaza human rights observation boat has returned to the waters off the Gazan coast after being grounded for two months due to Israeli naval attacks.
CPS Gaza aims to monitor human rights violations committed off the coast of Gaza, in which Gazan fishermen are invariably the victims. However in July, the CPS boat, Oliva, was attacked three times, with the final attack forcing the boat to retire to shore after the engine was rammed beyond repair. On September 25th, the boat made her first trip at sea, in which she was not attacked by the Israeli Navy.
Continuation of attacks
On 13 July, the Oliva crew and captain were encircled by one Israeli Navy warship, which fired water cannons continuously for fifteen minutes, aiming for the faces of the crew, as well as their cameras and radio equipments. The engine broke in the attack and the boat struggled to escape as the attack continued.
The following day, the boat was attacked by two Israeli Navy vessels, the force of the water cracking a section of the boat’s floor. The crew was forced to seek refuge on a fishing boat in order to make it back to shore. Once aboard the fishing trawler, one crew member reported that one Israeli naval officer instructed another to sink the boat with the water.
In this attack, the Navy officers also intimidated the fishermen with whom the CPS crew had sought refuge, demanding, ‘Where are your fish? Where are your fish?’ After the crew attempted to deter further attacks on the fishing boat by informing the Israeli Navy that they were international observers, a Navy officer responded by saying, ‘Leave and if we see you here again we will shoot you and the children [on board the fishing vessel] and the Europeans or Americans,’ according to one of the CPS crew members.
We won’t be intimidated
On July 20, Oliva suffered the attack that would ground her for two months, in front of a journalist from the Guardian Jerusalem office. For 20 minutes the boat was attacked with water by two Israeli Navy boats, and then rammed by one of the Israeli warships, which had a maniacal clown poster on its side. The engine was wrecked in the attack and Oliva had, until now, been stranded ashore.
Vera Macht, a German member of the CPS Gaza project explained that the project will continue to run and document human rights violations, “We won’t be intimidated,” she explained, “Olivia will sail out again to document abuses until international law is respected by Israel in the sea of Gaza. Fishermen are harassed, attacked, arrested and even killed by Israeli armed forces, even within the imposed 3 nautical mile limit.”
On September 25, 2011, Oliva set sail again, despite warnings that the human rights observers would be shot if the project continued. The boat cut its trip short because of weather conditions; the crew experienced reduced intimidation by the Israeli Navy and were not directly attacked.
Every Israeli attack on the Oliva has occurred within the Israeli-imposed 3-mile nautical limit, which forbids vessels from travelling further out to sea. This limitation overwhelmingly affects fishermen in catching adequate fish as the three miles have been fished extensively in the four years since the limit was imposed. According to the Oslo Accords agreements, a fishing limit of 20 miles was agreed, but fishermen have been restricted to three miles since Hamas took control of the costal enclave in 2006. This prevents Gaza’s fishing communities from accessing 85% of the Oslo-agreed fishing waters.
Joe Catron, a US citizen, was aboard the CPS Gaza boat during two of the warship attacks, “The bravery of Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast is like nothing I’ve ever seen. These courageous men, who continue struggling to provide for themselves, their families, and their country, despite the raw military aggression they face on a daily basis, inspired all of us. I’m honored to have played a small, fleeting role in supporting their fight.”
The Civil Peace Service (CPS) Gaza human rights observation boat has returned to the waters off the Gazan coast after being grounded for two months due to Israeli naval attacks.
CPS Gaza aims to monitor human rights violations committed off the coast of Gaza, in which Gazan fishermen are invariably the victims. However in July, the CPS boat, Oliva, was attacked three times, with the final attack forcing the boat to retire to shore after the engine was rammed beyond repair. On September 25th, the boat made her first trip at sea, in which she was not attacked by the Israeli Navy.
Continuation of attacks
On 13 July, the Oliva crew and captain were encircled by one Israeli Navy warship, which fired water cannons continuously for fifteen minutes, aiming for the faces of the crew, as well as their cameras and radio equipments. The engine broke in the attack and the boat struggled to escape as the attack continued.
The following day, the boat was attacked by two Israeli Navy vessels, the force of the water cracking a section of the boat’s floor. The crew was forced to seek refuge on a fishing boat in order to make it back to shore. Once aboard the fishing trawler, one crew member reported that one Israeli naval officer instructed another to sink the boat with the water.
In this attack, the Navy officers also intimidated the fishermen with whom the CPS crew had sought refuge, demanding, ‘Where are your fish? Where are your fish?’ After the crew attempted to deter further attacks on the fishing boat by informing the Israeli Navy that they were international observers, a Navy officer responded by saying, ‘Leave and if we see you here again we will shoot you and the children [on board the fishing vessel] and the Europeans or Americans,’ according to one of the CPS crew members.
We won’t be intimidated
On July 20, Oliva suffered the attack that would ground her for two months, in front of a journalist from the Guardian Jerusalem office. For 20 minutes the boat was attacked with water by two Israeli Navy boats, and then rammed by one of the Israeli warships, which had a maniacal clown poster on its side. The engine was wrecked in the attack and Oliva had, until now, been stranded ashore.
Vera Macht, a German member of the CPS Gaza project explained that the project will continue to run and document human rights violations, “We won’t be intimidated,” she explained, “Olivia will sail out again to document abuses until international law is respected by Israel in the sea of Gaza. Fishermen are harassed, attacked, arrested and even killed by Israeli armed forces, even within the imposed 3 nautical mile limit.”
On September 25, 2011, Oliva set sail again, despite warnings that the human rights observers would be shot if the project continued. The boat cut its trip short because of weather conditions; the crew experienced reduced intimidation by the Israeli Navy and were not directly attacked.
Every Israeli attack on the Oliva has occurred within the Israeli-imposed 3-mile nautical limit, which forbids vessels from travelling further out to sea. This limitation overwhelmingly affects fishermen in catching adequate fish as the three miles have been fished extensively in the four years since the limit was imposed. According to the Oslo Accords agreements, a fishing limit of 20 miles was agreed, but fishermen have been restricted to three miles since Hamas took control of the costal enclave in 2006. This prevents Gaza’s fishing communities from accessing 85% of the Oslo-agreed fishing waters.
Joe Catron, a US citizen, was aboard the CPS Gaza boat during two of the warship attacks, “The bravery of Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast is like nothing I’ve ever seen. These courageous men, who continue struggling to provide for themselves, their families, and their country, despite the raw military aggression they face on a daily basis, inspired all of us. I’m honored to have played a small, fleeting role in supporting their fight.”
CPSGaza Report - 25 September 2011
CPSGaza
Today the Oliva, along with a boat with international press, sailed alongside Palestinian fishermen for their workday.
At 9 a.m. the Oliva's GPS showed that the ship was 3 nautical miles from the Gaza coast. Aboard the ship were three CPSGaza human rights monitors (American, Spanish and German), a Slovenian journalist and the Palestinian captain.
Two Israeli naval boats appeared at 09.35 a.m. and one started to pursue the Oliva. Despite the fact that the Oliva had turned back towards the shore, it took a while for the Israeli boat to stop chasing behind. The fishermen returned to the port with no injuries or attacks.
Background:
Israel has been regularly attacking Palestinian fishermen within the purported 3 nautical mile fishing limit. The livelihood of many Gazans relies on fishing and Israel has been using live ammunition and water cannons to prevent fishermen from doing their work.
The Israeli Siege continues after more than 4 years, limiting the sea area available for the Gaza population. This area was supposed to be 20 miles according to the Jericho agreements from 1994 (under the Oslo accords), then it was reduced to 12 miles, to 6 miles and now to 3 miles since December 2008.
The Civil Peace Services continue monitoring potential human rights violations at the sea in front of the Gaza Strip.
Today the Oliva, along with a boat with international press, sailed alongside Palestinian fishermen for their workday.
At 9 a.m. the Oliva's GPS showed that the ship was 3 nautical miles from the Gaza coast. Aboard the ship were three CPSGaza human rights monitors (American, Spanish and German), a Slovenian journalist and the Palestinian captain.
Two Israeli naval boats appeared at 09.35 a.m. and one started to pursue the Oliva. Despite the fact that the Oliva had turned back towards the shore, it took a while for the Israeli boat to stop chasing behind. The fishermen returned to the port with no injuries or attacks.
Background:
Israel has been regularly attacking Palestinian fishermen within the purported 3 nautical mile fishing limit. The livelihood of many Gazans relies on fishing and Israel has been using live ammunition and water cannons to prevent fishermen from doing their work.
The Israeli Siege continues after more than 4 years, limiting the sea area available for the Gaza population. This area was supposed to be 20 miles according to the Jericho agreements from 1994 (under the Oslo accords), then it was reduced to 12 miles, to 6 miles and now to 3 miles since December 2008.
The Civil Peace Services continue monitoring potential human rights violations at the sea in front of the Gaza Strip.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
CPSGaza to hold press conference relaunching project Oliva after forced hiatus
CPSGaza
22 September 2011
For Immediate ReleaseContact: Civil Peace Service Gaza +970 (0) 597 650 864
When: Friday, 23 September 2011, 5:00 pm local time
Where: Freedom Flotilla Martyrs Memorial and Square, Gaza Seaport
Who: Maria del Mar, Spanish observer for Civil Peace Service Gaza
Vera Macht, German observer for Civil Peace Service Gaza
Mahfouz Kabiriti, President of Palestine Association for Fishing and Marine SportsWhat: Civil Peace Service Gaza will be holding a press conference about the relaunching of the Oliva scheduled for 24 September
Photos and video will be available upon request: email press@cpsgaza.org.
The Oliva's engine was damaged when the Israeli navy rammed the boat on 20 July. Since the attack disabled the boat, international observers have been unable to accompany Gazan fishermen.
The incident followed similar attacks on the Oliva during previous missions. Video footage is available: http://bit.ly/CPSGvideos.
Vera Macht, a German human rights worker, stated: "We won't be intimidated, and the Olivia will sail out again to document abuses until international law is respected by Israel in the sea of Gaza. Fishermen are harassed, attacked, arrested and even killed by Israeli armed forces, even within the imposed 3 nautical mile limit."
Media are invited to contact Civil Peace Service Gaza in advance to coordinate accompaniment on the Oliva's upcoming missions.
PCHR weekly report 15/9 - 21/9/2011: nets confiscated - damaged
extracts from PCHR weekly report 15/9 - 21/9/2011:
IOF continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
During the reporting period, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip. No fishermen were hurt, but Israeli naval troops confiscated and damaged some fishing nets.
Monday, 19 September 2011
At approximately 07:15, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported. Israeli naval troops then confiscated and damaged fishing nets belonging to a number of fishermen, including Qussai Mohammed al-Sultan, Shareef Mohammed al-Sultan, Mohammed Khader al-Sultan, Mahmoud Isma’il Zayed, Hussam Mohammed Zayed and Ramadan Ghaleb al-Sultan.
IOF continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
During the reporting period, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip. No fishermen were hurt, but Israeli naval troops confiscated and damaged some fishing nets.
Monday, 19 September 2011
At approximately 07:15, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported. Israeli naval troops then confiscated and damaged fishing nets belonging to a number of fishermen, including Qussai Mohammed al-Sultan, Shareef Mohammed al-Sultan, Mohammed Khader al-Sultan, Mahmoud Isma’il Zayed, Hussam Mohammed Zayed and Ramadan Ghaleb al-Sultan.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Israeli Gunboats Open Fire on Palestinian Fishing Boats in North Gaza District
15-9-2011
At approximately 2:00 am on Thursday 15 September 2011, Israeli naval vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats which were in the waters off the coastline of the As-Sudaniya area, to the west of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district. The firing scared the fishermen on the boats and they sailed to land immediately. No casualties or injuries were reported.
PCHR weekly report 8/9 - 14/9/2011: 2 fishermen wounded, abducted along 6 otherones
extracts from PCHR weekly report 8/9 - 14/9/2011:
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
At approximately 07:15, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian fishermen were forced sail back to the beach, but no casualties were reported.
IOF continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
Two fishermen were wounded.
IOF arrested and interrogated 8 fishermen, including two children, but released later.Sunday, 11 September 2011
At approximately 06:15, two Israeli gunboats surrounded two Palestinian fishing boats, on board of which were 8 Palestinian fishermen, including two children, opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli naval troops opened fire at the boats wounding two fishermen lightly:
1- Khader Hassan Bakr, 29, wounded by shrapnel to the left hand; and
2- Mohammed Suhail Bakr, 17, wounded by shrapnel to the right thigh.
Israeli naval troop then arrested the eight fishermen, but released them at approximately 18:00:
Hassan Khader Bakr, 53;
Khader Hassan Bakr, 29;
Ja’far Hassan Bakr, 27;
Mohammed Hassan Bakr, 21;
‘Allam Nasser Bakr, 16;
Khalil Jouhar Bakr, 21;
Mohammed Majed Bakr, 19; and
Mohammed Suhail Bakr, 17.
Khader Hassan Bakr, 29;
Ja’far Hassan Bakr, 27;
Mohammed Hassan Bakr, 21;
‘Allam Nasser Bakr, 16;
Khalil Jouhar Bakr, 21;
Mohammed Majed Bakr, 19; and
Mohammed Suhail Bakr, 17.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
At approximately 07:15, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian fishermen were forced sail back to the beach, but no casualties were reported.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Israeli Gunboats Open Fire on Palestinian Fishing Boats in North Gaza District
13-9-2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
IOF Arrests Eight Fishermen, Humiliates Them, and Confiscates Their Boats in Continuous Attacks against Palestinian Fishermen
12-9-2011
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continue to attack Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Gaza. The IOF regularly opens fire against fishermen, detains them, and confiscates their fishing boats, preventing them from working even when they are within the Israeli-imposed “fishing zone” of three nautical miles. This “zone” was “declared” by the IOF in March 2009. Most
recently, on Sunday 11 September 2011, the IOF arrested eight fishermen
from one family, including two children, in North Gaza district, after
opening fire and injuring two of them, including a child. The
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights has repeatedly documented the IOF’s
flagrant attacks against, and ill-treatment of, Palestinian fishermen in
the past two months.
According
to Al Mezan’s documentation, at approximately 7:00 am on Sunday 11
September 2011, Israeli naval vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened
fire on Palestinian fishing boats which were in the waters off the
coastline of the As-Sudaniya area, near Jabaliya in North Gaza district.
According to Al Mezan’s field investigation, the Israeli vessels then
moved towards two of the fishing boats and surrounded them. Eight
fishermen who were on board the boats were arrested. The
IOF took the fishermen, the two children, and the boats northwards to
Ashdod harbor. Al Mezan has identified their names as follows:
· Hasan Khader Hasan Baker, 53, and his sons Khader, 29, Ja’far, 27, and Mohammed, 21;
· ‘Adnan Nasser Fadel Baker, 16;
· Khalil Jawhar Baker, 21;
· Mohammed Majed Baker, 19; and
· Mohammed Suhail Baker, 17.
The
fishermen are residents of Ash-Shati’ refugee camp. At approximately
6:00 pm on the same day, the IOF released the two children and Mohammed
Majed Baker. It released the other detained fishermen at approximately 9:00 pm.
In
his affidavit to Al Mezan, one of the fishermen stated that the IOF had
opened direct fire on them while they were located west of Al Waha
resort in the As-Sudaniya area. As a result, Khader Hasan Baker, 29,
sustained a shrapnel wound in the left hand, Mohammed Suhail Baker, 17,
sustained a shrapnel wound, in the right leg, and the boat engine was
disabled. The IOF ordered the fishermen to take off their clothes, jump
into the sea, and swim towards the Israeli boat. The fishermen asked the
IOF to allow Hasan Khader Baker to stay on the boat as he suffers from
heart disease. The IOF then cuffed the fishermen and took them to Ashdod
port. He added that they were subjected to ill treatment during the
IOF’s dealings with them. When
the IOF finished interrogating the men, they were taken to Erez crossing
and released there. The IOF still retains the two fishing boats as of
the date of publication of this press release.
In
this context, Al Mezan asserts that the failure of the international
community to uphold its legal and moral obligations towards civilians in
the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), including the Gaza Strip, has
encouraged Israel to continue its abuses against Palestinian fishermen
in violation of international human rights law and international
humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention. Al Mezan
calls on the international community to undertake serious and effective
efforts to bring to an end the IOF’s abuses against Palestinian
fishermen, including the use of torture and ill treatment. It also calls
on the international community to work towards lifting the Israeli
restrictions imposed on the movement of fishermen, in accord with
Israeli obligations under international law.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
IOF Arrests Eight Fishermen and Confiscates Their Fishing Boats in North Gaza District
11-9-2011
At approximately 7:00 am on Sunday 11 September 2011, Israeli naval vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats which were in the waters off the coastline of the As-Sudaniya area, near Jabaliya in North Gaza district.
According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, the Israeli vessels moved towards two of the fishing boats and surrounded them. Eight fishermen who were on board the boats were arrested. The Israeli Occupation Forces took the men and their boats northwards, presumably to Ashdod harbor. Al Mezan has identified their names as follows:
· Hasan Khader Baker, 53, and his sons Khader, 29, Ja’far, 27, and Mohammed, 21;
· ‘Adnan Nasser Fadel Baker, 16;
· Khalil Jawhar Baker, 21;
· Mohammed Majed Baker, 19; and
· Mohammed Suhail Baker, 17.
The fishermen are residents of Ash-Shati’ refugee camp.
---------
Israeli forces detain 8 fishermen off Gaza coast
Published today (updated) 11/09/2011 16:47
Palestinian fisherman work on their boats in the port off Gaza City, Nov. 8, 2008
[MaanImages/Hatem Omar]
[MaanImages/Hatem Omar]
Locals said Israeli naval boats surrounded a fishing boat belonging to the Baker family near As-Sudanyeh, north of Gaza City and detained eight people on board.
Those detained were identified as Hassan Khader Baker, his sons Khader, Jafar and Muhammad and their relatives Allam, Suheil and Muhammad.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said the fishermen deviated from the fishing area and failed to respond to Israeli naval orders to turn around.
She said the fishermen were detained and taken for security questioning.
The sea off Gaza has been mostly off limits since June 2006 when Israel imposed a tight blockade on the territory after militants there captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who is still being held.
The blockade was tightened a year later when Hamas seized control of the territory, ousting forces loyal to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.
Israeli military ships patrol Gaza's Mediterranean shore, enforcing a unilaterally-imposed 3-mile fishing limit and blockade on the strip.
The last negotiated fishing limit for Gaza was 20 nautical miles, agreed on during the Oslo accords in the early 1990s.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
IOF troops bombard Gaza suburb, fishing boats
| [ 10/09/2011 - 12:05 PM ] |
 |
| GAZA, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) fired a number of artillery shells at agricultural land in Shujaia suburb east of Gaza city at an early hour on Friday, local sources said. They added that no casualties were reported, adding that IOF gunboats also fired at Palestinian fishing boats off the Gaza coast with no injuries reported. IOF military had shelled Qarara area east of Khan Younis late on Thursday night while warplanes launched mock raids all over the Strip. |
Thursday, September 8, 2011
PCHR report 25/8 - 7/9/2011: attack opposite Beit Lahia and Jabalya
extracts from PCHR report 25/8 - 7/9/2011:
Monday, 05 September 2011
At approximately 06:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia and Jabalya beaches in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.
Monday, 05 September 2011
At approximately 06:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia and Jabalya beaches in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)