CPSGaza Report - 22 December 2011

CPSGaza


22 December 2011  The Oliva left Gaza Seaport at 8:25am with on board his Palestinian captain and two international observers from CPS Gaza.

At 8:50 am, at about 2 nautical miles from the coast (31° 35.12N / 034° 26.22E), Oliva’s crew sighted an Israelis navy vessel which was close to 6 hasakas and heard shooting. The hasakas were observed while getting away from the Israeli navy vessel and moving towards Oliva. The fishermen informed Oliva’s crew that an Israeli navy vessel opened fire at their boats at 5.30 am.

At 9:05, from the same position, Oliva observed the Israeli navy reaching again the fishermen, continuing shooting in the water and telling them to go back home. Oliva reached the point where fishermen were harassed, located at about 2.1 nautical miles from the coast and within the limit of the northern ‘closed area’ (31° 35.17N / 034° 26.14E).

At 9:25 am Oliva reached the float delimitating the 3 nautical miles (31° 35.62N / 034° 25.03E).

At 9:40, when Oliva was at 2.9 nautical miles offshore (31° 35.21N / 034° 25.07E), the Israeli navy vessel moved at high rate of speed towards Oliva which hanged back. The same happened at 9:53 am and then at 10:12 am, when Oliva was at 2.85 nautical miles offshore (31° 34.97N / 034° 24.92E).

At 10:23 Oliva kept observing the Israeli navy vessel from a distance of about 200m and at 10:50 returned to the port of Gaza.

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.