The Oliva left the Gaza Seaport at 8:20 am, carrying its Palestinian captain and an international crew of two United States citizens.
At 10:45 am, while two nautical miles offshore, it observed an Israeli warship moving toward a group of five hasakas, clustered northwest of the Oliva, at a high rate of speed in an apparent attempt to scatter them.
The boats then began returning to the port. The Oliva accompanied them, leaving its position at 10:50 am and docking at 11:00 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.
