Palestinian fisherman injured by Israeli naval fire

May 27, 2015 2:09 P.M. (Updated: May 27, 2015 8:26 P.M.)

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A Palestinian fisherman was injured as Israeli naval forces opened fire at fishermen off the coast of western Gaza City on Wednesday.Witnesses said Israeli forces injured fisherman Islam Murad, the third Palestinian fishermen to be injured by live Israeli fire this week.An Israeli army spokeswoman did not have record of the incident at the time of Ma'an's request for comment.Murad's injury Wednesday comes as Palestinian fishermen face near daily fire, ongoing harassment, and interference with their work from both Israeli and Egyptian naval forces.Egyptian forces injured a Palestinian fisherman with live fire on Monday, shortly after two other Gazan fishermen were shot and injured by Israeli forces earlier in the day for allegedly leaving the designated fishing zone.

Israeli forces also reportedly opened fire on boats Sunday.Restrictions on fishing zones off the coast of the Gaza Strip have been heavily enforced by Israeli forces as part of a blockade imposed on the strip since 2006, as forces repeatedly opened fire on Palestinians on land and at sea, confiscated fishing boats and equipment, and detained fishermen.March alone witnessed a total of 35 incidents of shootings and incursions into the coastal enclave according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.Israel agreed to expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast as part of last summer's ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant groups, however fishermen are regularly prevented from fishing within the agreed limits.

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PCHR

At approximately 03:00 on Wednesday, 27 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a Palestinian gunboat sailing within 3 nautical miles off the Gaza Seaport, west of Gaza City.  As a result, fisherman Islam al-Sayed Khamis Murad (25) from al-Shati' refugee camp was hit with two bullets to the top of the right thigh and the left arm.  He was  taken to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and his condition was described as moderate.  Islam Murad said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

"At approximately 00:30 on Wednesday, 27 May 2015, I went with my brother, Mahmoud (23), on a fishing boat owned by my brother, from the Gaza Seaport to the west.  We were sailing within 7 nautical miles off the shore when we were fishing.  After catching a large amount of fish at approximately 03:00, we left the area.  Three Israeli gunboats stationed 3 nautical miles off the shore chased and opened fire at us wounding me."

Egyptian navy shoots, injures Gaza fisherman

May 26, 2015 9:49 P.M. (Updated: May 27, 2015 2:50 P.M.) 

 

(MaanImages/File)

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Egyptian naval forces late Monday opened fire on a Palestinian fishing boat off the coast of the southern Gaza Strip, injuring a fisherman from Rafah.Palestinian sources identified the fisherman as Muhammad al-Bardawil. The shooting came after two other Gazan fishermen were shot and injured by Israeli forces earlier in the day for allegedly leaving the designated fishing zone.Last week, a Gazan fishing boat was damaged when Egyptian gunboats fired on it, although no injuries were reported.Egypt upholds an Israeli military blockade on Gaza, keeping borders largely closed and limiting imports, exports, and the freedom of movement of its residents.On the land border, the Egyptian government has actively destroyed smuggling tunnels since the military coup in the summer of 2013, and is creating a kilometer-wide buffer zone.Israeli forces, meanwhile, have repeatedly opened fire on Palestinians on land and at sea. March alone witnessed a total of 35 incidents of shootings, incursions into the coastal enclave, and arrests, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.

2 Gaza fishermen shot, injured by Israeli navy

May 25, 2015 11:04 P.M. (Updated: May 25, 2015 1:47 P.M.) 

(AFP/File)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Two Palestinian fishermen were shot and injured by Israeli navy forces off the coast of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday, a local union said.Nizar Ayyash, speaker of the fishermen's union in Gaza, told Ma'an that Muhammad Ziad Bakr, 26, was taken to hospital for treatment after he was shot by Israeli forces.An Israeli army spokeswoman said that a fishing vessel deviated from the designated fishing zone and after warning shots were fired, forces fired at the lower extremities of a fisherman.A direct hit was confirmed, she added. 

Some hours later, Imad Muhsin Bakir, 26, was shot and injured in the same area and evacuated to Shifa hospital in Gaza City for treatment.

Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on Palestinian fisherman and farmers since the ceasefire agreement signed Aug. 26, 2014 that ended a devastating 50-day Israeli military offensive against the Gaza Strip.In March alone, there were a total of 35 incidents of shootings, incursions into the coastal enclave, and arrests, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.The shootings left 10 injured, including three minors.

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PCHR

At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 25 May 2015, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Soudaniyah shore, north of Gaza City opened fire at a fishing boat belonging to Mohammed Ziyad Baker (30) who was sailing within 3 nautical miles.  As a result, the aforementioned civilian sustained a metal bullet wound to the left hand.  'Emad al-Deen Musen, who was also on board the boat, sustained metal bullet shrapnel wound to the foot.  The two wounded fishermen were taken to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City to receive medical treatment.  Medical sources described their injuries ad minor.
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At approximately 20:00 on Monday, 25 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at the fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles off al-Soudaniyah shore, west of Jabalia.  No causalities were reported.

IOF Open Fire Injures 3 Fishermen in Northern Gaza, Al Mezan Condemns the Israeli Attacks against Fishermen and Calls for International Protection for Them

25-05-2015 13:39

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20255 Ref# 16/2015

 

The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continues attacks against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza sea. The IOF opens fire on fishermen and destroys and confiscate their boats and equipment.
According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, at approximately 9:00 am on Monday 25 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a fishing boat that was carrying four fishermen. The boat was approximately three nautical miles to the west of Al Karama Towers, off of the coast of the North Gaza district. Three fishermen; including a minor, were injured in the attack. Al Mezan identified the injured as follows:

• Mohamed Baker, 30, who sustained a rubber-coated bullet wound to his left elbow;
• Ziyad Baker, 21, who sustained a rubber-coated bullet wound to a toe on his right foot; and
• Emad El-Deen Baker, 16, who sustained a rubber-coated bullet wound to his right thigh.

The Israeli Navy continuously abuses fishermen with degrading and threatening language.
In his affidavit to Al Mezan, fisherman Mohamed Baker, one of the injured, stated that: “at around 6:30 am on Monday, 25 May 2015, we headed to the north-western area of the fishermen’s port located west of Gaza City, by a fishing boat (Hasakah). We stopped the boat about three nautical miles from the shore. We started fishing. After about half an hour, we were surprised by two Israeli naval boats approaching us and shooting heavily at us. We quickly left the area for the shore. After approximately half an hour, we returned to fish. We stopped the boat about 300 meters away from the illuminated buoys positioned to the north. The buoys form a line demarcating a no-go zone for Palestinian fishermen. We resumed fishing and stayed for almost one hour, during which the current drifted a little nearer to the illuminated buoys. Suddenly, at around 9:00 am, I saw two Israeli gunboats approaching us again very quickly. I then turned on the boat’s engine and quickly steered towards the south. The two Israeli boats continued to pursue us and fire at us. When they were about two meters away from us, I heard an Israeli soldier insulting us using a loudspeaker. I heard the sound of shooting and I felt pain in my right elbow. I also heard both Emad El Deen and Ziyad screaming. Then the two Israeli boats left the area, heading to the north. We reached the fishing port and were taken to Al Shifa' Hospital in Gaza City by an ambulance.”

The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights expresses its strong condemnation of the continuation of the Israeli closure of which the imposition of access restricted areas (ARA) is a policy. The violations by Israeli forces in the ARA lead to the arrest, killing and injury of civilians, particularly fishermen and farmers. The attacks deprive the population of access to basic, fundamental, and inalienable rights and amount to serious violations of international law, including the complete prohibition on torture and ill-treatment. Al Mezan warns of the consequences of the continued escalation of these practices in view of the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators for violations of international law.
Al Mezan reiterates its call on the international community to promptly intervene and to uphold its legal and moral obligations towards civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory; to respect its legal obligations under international law to provide protection for Palestinian civilians; and to pursue all suspects of grave breaches of international law.

End

Israeli forces open fire on fishermen, farmers in Gaza

May 24, 2015 10:27 P.M. (Updated: May 25, 2015 10:13 P.M.)

(MaanImages/File)

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen and farmers in the Gaza Strip Sunday morning, with no injuries reported.Witnesses told Ma'an that Israeli naval boats fired on fishing boats off Sheikh Ijlein and Nuseirat on the northern Gazan coast, forcing the fisherman to return to land.Meanwhile, Israeli troops stationed in watchtowers along the borders with Gaza fired gunshots at Palestinian farmers working on their fields near the border area in northwestern Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on Palestinian fisherman and farmers since the ceasefire agreement signed Aug. 26, 2014 that ended a devastating 50-day Israeli military offensive against the Gaza Strip.In March alone, there were a total of 35 incidents of shootings, incursions into the coastal enclave, and arrests, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.The shootings left 10 injured, including three minors.The attacks come despite Israeli promises at the end of the ceasefire to ease restrictions on Palestinian access to both the sea and the border region near the "security buffer zone."

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Fishing Boats Northwest Beit Lahiya [ and Rafah]

24-05-2015 06:03

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20243

At approximately 8:30 pm on Sundaym 24 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats which were in the Gaza sea north and west the Al Waha area-near the maritime borders- west of Beit Lahiya in North Gaza district. No injuries or causalities were reported.


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PCHR

At approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 24 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at the fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles off al-Waha shore.  The shooting continued for around 20 minutes.

At approximately 19:00 on the same Sunday, Israeli gunboats stationed off west of Rafah City in the southern Gaza Strip sporadically opened fire in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats sailing within two nautical miles.

At approximately 19:30 on the same Sunday, Israeli gunboats opened fire at the fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles off al-Waha shore.  The shooting continued for around 20 minutes.

Israeli forces continue near daily fire on Gaza fishermen, farmers

May 23, 2015 12:45 P.M. (Updated: May 24, 2015 10:28 P.M.)

(AFP/File)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinians fishing boats while forces targeted farmers in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday.Witnesses told Ma'an that the navel forces opened fire the fishing boats off the coast of Al-Nuseirat and Al-Zawayda refugee camps located in the central Gaza Strip.

An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that several vessels deviated from the designated fishing zone Saturday morning, and retreated to shore after Israeli naval forces fired warning shots into the air, adding that no injuries were reported.The shooting comes days after a fishing boat was damaged by Israeli fire earlier this week, while Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Beit Lahiya on May 10. Separately on Saturday, Israeli forces reportedly opened fire at Palestinian farmers in eastern Khan Younis.No injuries were reported.An Israeli army spokeswoman did not have immediate information regarding the incident in Khan Younis.Saturday's events come as Israeli forces have escalated attacks against Gazan Palestinians inside of the Israeli-implemented and controlled buffer zone. Gaza-based Israeli watchdog Al Mezan documented Israeli forces opening fire in the border areas six seperate times during the first ten days of May, leaving four injured including one child.In the seaside buffer-zone, Al Meza recorded ten incidents of Israeli fire on Palestinian fishermen within the same time period, resulting in two fishermen injured, two arrested, and one confiscated fishing boat.The Aug. 26 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian militant groups stipulated that Israel would immediately expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles from shore, and would continue to expand the area gradually.Since then, there have been widespread reports that Israeli forces have opened fire at fishermen within those new limits, and the zone has not yet been expanded.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Fishing Boats in North Gaza District

23-05-2015 06:04

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20244

At approximately 9:20 am on Saturday, 23 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats which were in the Gaza sea west of the As-Sudaniya area in North Gaza district. No injuries or causalities were reported. According to Al Mezan’s filed investigations, Israeli gunboats targeted Palestinian fishing boats which were about 5 nautical miles away from the coast. As a result, fishermen abandon their work and sailed to land immediately.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Fishing Boats West of Beit Lahiya

22-05-2015 06:09

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20245

At approximately 9:30 am on Friday, 22 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats which were in the Gaza sea north and west of Al Waha area-near the maritime borders- west of Beit Lahiya in North Gaza district. No injuries or causalities were reported. According to Al Mezan’s filed investigations, Israeli gunboat chased under covering fire one Palestinian fishing boat but it escaped.

Israeli navy forces fire at Gaza fishermen

May 18, 2015 10:11 P.M. (Updated: May 18, 2015 9:27 P.M.)

 

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli navy forces on Monday opened fire at Palestinian fishermen off the coast of northern Gaza, Palestinian security officials said.

One fishing boat was damaged in the incident, with no injuries reported.

The fishermen were forced to leave the sea following the shooting.

Israeli Gunboats Opened Fire at Palestinian Fishermen West of As-Sudaniya Area in North Gaza District

14-05-2015 06:12

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20247

At approximately 11:50 am on Thursday, 14 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats which were in the Gaza sea west of As-Sudaniya coast northwest of Gaza City. No injuries were reported. Fishermen abandoned their work and left the area.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Fishing Boats West of Beit Lahiya

12-05-2015 06:15

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20249

 

At approximately 9:20 pm on Tuesday, 12 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats which were in the Gaza sea north and west of Al Waha Resort- near the maritime border- west of Beit Lahiya in North Gaza district. No injuries or casualties were reported.

Israeli forces injure 3 farmers, arrest 2 fishermen in northern Gaza

May 10, 2015 10:06 P.M. (Updated: May 10, 2015 5:12 P.M.)

(MaanImages)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli troops shot and injured three Palestinian farmers in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday afternoon and arrested two fishermen off Beit Lahiya's coast, locals told Ma'an.The three injured men, from the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, were first evacuated by ambulance to Shifa hospital in Gaza City and later transferred to the European Hospital in Khan Younis.Medics said one of the three sustained serious wounds.An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was aware of three Palestinian "suspects" approaching the border.However, she said that Israeli forces had fired warning shots into the air, and that the army was not aware of any injuries.Separately, Israeli navy forces arrested two Palestinian fishermen off the coast in Beit Lahiya. A human rights group told Ma'an that Israeli gunboats fired warning gunshots at a fishing boat before arresting two fishermen on board. The sources identified them as Khalid and Muhammad al-Sultan from Beit Lahiya.The army spokeswoman confirmed the incident, saying that the boat had left the designated fishing zone.She said that Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets into the air, then at the boat when it continued moving, and afterwards arrested the two men who remain under investigation.Israeli forces, stationed in military watchtowers, have recently intensified shooting attacks against Palestinian farmers who have been busy harvesting wheat in farmlands near the border with Israel.Saturday's shootings came one day after a 17-year-old Palestinian was critically injured when Israeli forces shot him in the head.Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on Gazans since the ceasefire agreement signed Aug. 26, 2014 that ended a devastating 50-day war between Israel and Hamas.The attacks come despite Israeli promises at the end of the ceasefire to ease restrictions on Palestinian access to both the sea and the border region near the "security buffer zone."

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Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Fishermen and Arrest Two in North Gaza

09-05-2015 08:49

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20242

 

At approximately 10:00 pm on Saturday, 9 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were in the Gaza sea west of Al Waha Resort near the maritime border west of Bait Lahiya in the North Gaza district. The occupying forces surrounded one fishing boat and arrested Ameen Mohammed Al Sultan, 23, and Hatem Abdullah Al Sultan, 29. Both are residents of Beit Lahiya. The Israeli forces took them to an unknown destination.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Fishing Boats North Al Waha Area

09-05-2015 08:41

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20237

At approximately 5:50 am on Saturday, 9 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats which were in the Gaza sea north and west Al Waha area-near the maritime borders- west of Beit Lahiya in North Gaza district.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Fishing Boats and Injures One North of Al Waha Area

08-05-2015 08:46

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20240

 

At approximately 7:30 pm on Friday, 8 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were in the Gaza sea northwest of Al Waha Resort near the maritime borders west of Bait Lahiya in the North Gaza district. As a result, fisherman Sharef Mohammed Al Sultan, 42, sustained a rubber bullet wound in the left leg.
Medical sources described his injury as minor. In his affidavit to Al Mezan, Sharef Al Sultan stated that two Israeli gunboats moved towards his boat while he was about one nautical mile away from Al Waha Resort. Al Sultan started to withdraw his nets to move away from the area. The two Israeli boats moved to within a few meters from Al Sultan. One of the boats shined a spotlight at his boat. One of the soldiers ordered Al Sultan in Arabic to leave the nets. He did not. The soldier then opened fire hitting the area of the nets near his boat. While Al Sultan was trying to row away, the occupying forces opened fire at the oar, which subsequently fell in the sea. The Israeli forces ordered him to sail to the west towards the illuminated buoys. His son Orans, 19, was screaming. Al Sultan sailed to the east. Then he heard the sound of gunfire and felt sever pain in his left leg. He sailed to the beach. His son took him to the hospital. The next day he found that two nets had been damaged.

Israeli forces fire at farmers, fishermen in central Gaza

May 7, 2015 12:04 P.M. (Updated: May 7, 2015 12:54 P.M.)

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers tending their fields in central Gaza on Thursday as navy gunboats fired at Palestinian fishermen off the coast, witnesses said.Israeli soldiers stationed in watchtowers along the Gaza border opened fire east of Deir al-Balah on agricultural fields, witnesses said, with no injuries reported.

Israeli naval forces opened fire at fishermen off the coast of Deir al-Balah, damaging a fishing boat.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was looking into the reports.

Palestinian fishermen face near daily fire from Israeli forces, with Gaza-based watchdog the al-Mezan Center for Human Rights reporting 29 attacks by Israeli forces on Palestinian fisherman between Sept. 1, 2014 and March 15, 2015.Due to high frequency of such attacks, however, live fire at fishing boats often goes unreported.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Fishermen West of As-Sudaniya Area

06-05-2015 11:48

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20230

 

At approximately 9:00 pm on Wednesday, 6 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats which were in the Gaza sea west of the As-Sudaniya area west of Jabalaiya in North Gaza district. No injuries or causalities were reported. According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, Israeli gunboats targeted the fishing boats which were about five nautical miles away from the coast. As a result, fishermen abandoned their work and left the area.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Fishermen West of Jabaliya

06-05-2015 11:53

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20234

At approximately 9:00 am on Wednesday, 6 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats which were in the sea west of the As-Sudaniya area west of Jabaliya in North Gaza district. No injuries or casualties were reported. According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, Israeli gunboats targeted fishing boats which were about five nautical miles away from the cost. As a result, fishermen abandoned their work and left the area.

Israeli army opens fire at Gaza fishing boats

May 6, 2015 9:24 P.M. (Updated: May 7, 2015 11:34 P.M.)

 

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli military boats on Wednesday afternoon opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats near the shore of the central Gaza Strip, security sources said.Local security sources said Israeli boats opened fire at boats near Deir al-Balah.

No injuries were reported.

An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Fishermen West of As-Sudaniya Area

05-05-2015 06:19

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20226

At approximately 8:50 am on Tuesday, 5 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire Palestinian fishing boats which were in the Sea west of the As-Sudaniya area west of Jabalaiya in North Gaza district. No injuries or causalities were reported. According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, Israeli gunboats targeted the fishing boats which were about five nautical miles far away. As a result, fishermen abandoned their work and left the area.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire and Launch Flare Bombs West of Al Waha Area

04-05-2015 06:18 

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20225

At approximately 9:40 pm on Monday, 4 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire and launched flare bombs in the sea west of Al Waha area-near the maritime borders- west of Beit Lahiya in North Gaza district. As a result, fishermen abandoned their work and left the area. No injuries or casualties were reported.

Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Fishermen North of the Al Waha Area

02-05-2015 05:21

Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/20221

At approximately 10:30 am on Saturday, 2 May 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats which were in the Sea north and west of the Al Waha area-near the maritime borders- west of Bait Lahiya in North Gaza district. No injuries or causalities were reported.