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."