Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in the Gaza Sea

PCHR

Tuesday, 13 November 2012 00:00

Fact Sheet

Israeli Attacks on Fishermen in the Gaza Sea

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) documented 11 attacks launched by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) against Palestinian fishermen during the reporting period (01– 31 October 2012),[1] including incidents in which the IOF fired at fishermen and fishing boats and chased them, as a result of which 8 fishermen were arrested while fishing approximately 2 nautical miles[2] off the shore of Beit Lahia in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.  In addition, 2 fishing boats belonging to Palestinian fishermen were confiscated.

 

Violation of the Right to Life and Security of Person

Israel’s attacks against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, especially the right to life and security of the person, in accordance with Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the State of Israel is a party.  The IOF perpetrated violations against Palestinian fishermen in the sea when these fishermen did not pose any threat to Israeli naval troops.  The fishermen were practicing their right to work and seeking their livelihood within the territorial waters of the Gaza Strip when the IOF attacked them.

First: Firing at Fishing Boats in the Gaza Strip Waters

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 11 cases in which the IOF fired[3] at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza shore, though no injuries were reported.  These attacks took place within the 3 nautical miles allowed for fishermen to sail and fish in.  PCHR also noticed that these firing incidents against fishermen and their boats took place while fishermen were seeking their livelihood, and in the context of imposing more restrictions to terrify and prevent the fishermen from practicing their work freely.

Second: Arresting Fishermen and Confiscating Fishing Boats

During the reporting period, PCHR documented incidents in which the IOF arrested 8 Palestinian fishermen, and confiscated 2 fishing boats and equipment.

Arresting Fishermen

During the reporting period, the IOF arrested 8 fishermen while they were carrying out their work 2 nautical miles offshore:

- At approximately 8:10 on Sunday, 07 October 2012, Israeli Naval Forces positioned off al-Waha resort northwest of Beit Lahia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, arrested 4 fishermen while they were fishing 2.5 nautical miles off the shore. The fishermen were identified as: Majed Fadel Baker (51), and his three sons Imran Majed Baker (27), Fadi Majed Baker (26) and Mohammad Majed Baker (20).  The 4 fishermen were released at approximately 16:00 on the same day at the Beit Hanoun Crossing (Erez), after being questioned.

- At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 22 October 2012, Israeli naval forces positioned off Al-Waha resort northwest of Beit Lahia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, chased and arrested 4 fishermen while they were fishing 2 nautical miles offshore.  The arrested men were identified as: Ramez Izat Baker (41), Khamis Sobhi Baker (43), Arafat Mohammad Baker (20) and Bayan Khamis Baker (17).

  

Confiscation of Fishing Boats

PCHR has followed up on Israel’s violations against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea, particularly the confiscation of fishing boats.  During the reporting period, the IOF confiscated 2 fishing boats:

- On Sunday, 07 October 2012, Israeli Naval Forces chased and confiscated a fishing boat belonging to Majed Fadel Baker (51), a Palestinian fisherman from Gaza, while sailing approximately 2 nautical miles off the shore of Beit Lahia in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

- On Monday, 22 October 2012, Israeli Naval Forces chased and confiscated a fishing boat belonging to Ramez Izat Baker (41), a Palestinian fisherman from Gaza, while sailing 2 nautical miles offshore, opposite to the Beit Lahia seashore in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. 

Table of Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in the Gaza Sea

(01 October – 31 October 2012)

Month	Firing	Killed Persons	Injuries	Arrest Incidents	Number of Detainees	Confiscation of Fishing Boats
October	11	-	-	2	8	2

---

[1] This fact sheet issued by PCHR is the tenth of its kind.  It addresses violations carried out by the IOF against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip while practicing their work.  For more details, see Fact Sheets at: www.pchrgaza.org.

[2] During the reporting period, PCHR documented the interception by Israeli naval forces of the Swedish ship, the ‘Estelle,’ which was carrying 30 international activists to the Gaza Strip under the auspices of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. For more information, see PCHR’s press release on 22 October 2012.

[3] This includes firing at a fishing boat boarding 3 international activists.  For more information, see PCHR’s press release on 05 November 2012.