Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in the Gaza Sea

PCHR

Tuesday, 05 February 2013 00:00

 Fact Sheet

Israeli Attacks on Fishermen in the Gaza Sea

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) documented 15 attacks launched by the Israeli Occupation Forces against Palestinian fishermen during the reporting period (1– 31 January 2013),[1] including 14 shooting incidents and 1 chase operation which led to the arrest of 3 fishermen and the confiscation of their boat.

Violation of the Right to Life and Security of Persons

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.  Israeli forces 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 Israeli forces attacked them.

First: Firing at Fishing Boats in the Waters off the Gaza Strip

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 14 cases in which Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza shore; as a result, a fishing boat was completely damaged, an engine was damaged and 3 boats were partially damaged.  These attacks took place within the 6 nautical miles allowed for fishermen to sail and fish in, according to the ceasefire agreement signed between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian and international auspices.

Second: Arresting Fishermen

During the reporting period, PCHR documented incidents in which the Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinian fishermen while fishing approximately 4 nautical miles off the shore of the Gaza Valley, northwest of Nussirat refugee camp in Central Gaza governorate.

· On 15 January 2013, Israeli forces arrested 3 fishermen, identified as: Mohammed Mattar Baker (49); Hazem Hamdan Baker (40); Mohammed Samir Baker (20), from Gaza City, while fishing approximately 4 nautical miles off the Gaza Valley shore, northwestern of Nussirat refugee camp in the Central Gaza governorate.  They were transported to Ashdod seaport.  The fishermen were subject to investigation before being released at approximately 16:00 on the same day through Beit Hanoun "Erez" crossing point.  The Israeli forces confiscated their fishing boat.  (For more details on the confiscated boat, read below).

Third: Confiscation of Fishing Boats

PCHR has followed up Israel’s violations against Palestinian fishermen in the waters off the Gaza Strip, particularly the confiscation of fishing boats.  During the reporting period, the Israeli forces confiscated 1 fishing boat.

· On 15 January 2013, Israeli naval forces, stationed off the Gaza Valley shore, Central Gaza, chased and confiscated a fishing boat belonging to the sons of Hamdan Mattar Baker, from Gaza, while sailing at approximately 4 nautical miles off the Gaza Valley shore.  Onboard the boat was 3 fishermen who were arrested, interrogated and later released.  As of 5 February 2013 their fishing boat was still confiscated

Month	Persons Fired At	Persons Killed	Persons Injured	Arrest Incidents	Number of Detainees	Number of Fishing Boats Confiscated	Fishing Equipment Damaged	Total
January 2013	14	-	-	1	3	1	-	15

Table of Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City

(1 – 31 January 2013)

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