Israeli Attacks on Fishermen in the Gaza Sea

PCHR

Thursday, 08 October 2015 00:00

Israeli Naval forces continued to carry out attacks on Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip during the reporting period (01-30 September 2015), including 7 shooting incidents that resulted in wounding a child accompanying his father on Beit Lahia shore. Moreover, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) documented 3 shelling incidents by Israeli gunboats and a crash incident due to which fishing boat was drowned.

The Israeli naval forces did not comply with the ceasefire agreement concluded between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian auspices on 26 August 2014.  This agreement includes allowing Palestinian fishermen to sail within 6 nautical miles in the Gaza Sea.  According to PCHR's investigations, all attacks took place within the distance of 6 nautical miles, which proves that Israeli forces' policies aim to tighten restrictions on the Gaza Strip's fishermen and their livelihoods.

Violations of the International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law

Israel’s attacks against Palestinian fishermen, who do not pose any threat to Israeli soldiers, in the Gaza Strip constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, relevant to the protection of the civilian population and respect for its rights, including every person's right to work, and the right to life, liberty and security of person, as codified in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), despite the fact that Israel is a State Party to the Covenant.  Furthermore, these attacks occurred in a time where the fishers did not pose any threat to the Israeli naval troops, as they were doing their job to secure a living.  Israeli violations in the reporting period were as follows:

  

First: Shooting Incidents

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 7 shooting incidents and 3 shelling ones.  The shooting incidents took place within the allowed fishing area as follows: the northern Gaza Strip and Khan Yunis. One of the shooting incidents led to injuring a child while he was accompanying his father on Beit Lahia shore.

Second: A child wounded adjacent to northern Gaza Strip shore.

- At approximately 18:00, 03 September 2015, Israeli forces stationed inside the watchtowers adjacent to al-Seyafa area, northwest of Beit Lahia village, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of fishermen who were angling in the vicinity of the border fence. As a result, Belal Omer Yousef Abu Amr, 10, from al-Manshiya area in Beit Lahia village, sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh while he was accompanying his father, who was angling 50 meters away from the border fence.  Abu Amr was taken to Kmal 'Edwan Hospital to receive medical treatment, where a medical source stated that his wound was moderate.    

Third: Damaging Fishing Equipment

- At approximately 19:30 on 26 September 2015, an Israeli gunboat collided with a fishing boat that was sailing within 3 nautical miles off Khan Yunis shore. 

Foaad al-'Amoudy, head of the Fishermen Syndicate, said to PCHR's fieldworker that an Israeli gunboat approached a fishing boat owned by him along with three other persons. The aforementioned fishing boat was sailing within 3 nautical miles off Khan Yunis shore. The Israeli gunboat pointed torches at the fishing boat and then collided with, due to which the fishing boat was drowned. The fishing boat owners headed to the place later, where the boat sank, but they did not find it.

Table of Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in the Gaza Strip in September 2015

Month	Shooting	Shelling	Injuries	Damaging Fishing Nets
September 2015	7	3	1	1

Table of Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of 2015

Month	Firing	Injuries	Arrest Incidents	Number of Detainees	Confiscation of Fishing Boats	Confiscation of Fishing nets	Damaging Fishing Equipment
January	12	4	2	8	1	2	4
February	15	-	-	-	-	-	-
March	12	2	2	6	3	-	1
April	15	1	-	-	-	-	2 (fishing boat – net)
May	27	7	1	2	1	1	3
June	10	4	-	14	3	2	3
July	7	3	-	8	4	-	-
August	6	-	-	2	1	-	1
September	7	1	-	-	-	-	1 fishing boat
Total	111	22	-	40	13	5	15

Israeli Naval Forces Wound Two Fishers and Arrest Five Others, including Child in Gaza Sea

 PCHR

Tuesday, 02 June 2015 00:00

Ref: 26/2015

On Tuesday, 02 June 2015, Israeli naval gunboats chased and opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat sailing off northern Gaza shore wounding two fishers.  On Monday morning, 01 June 2015, Israeli naval forces also arrested five Palestinian fishers, including a child, while fishing off Gaza shore.  The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns these attacks against Palestinian fishers that deny them their right to freely practice fishing in the Gaza sea.  PCHR also expresses its concern over the continued Israeli policy of targeting fishers' livelihoods in light of the illegal naval blockade imposed on Gaza sea and in conjunction with the sardine season as well.

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 06:00 on Tuesday, 02 June 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat sailing within four nautical miles off al-Soudaniya shore, north of Gaza City, wounding two fishers.

Moheeb Ahed Baker said to a PCHR fieldworker that at approximately 06:00 on Tuesday, 01 June 2015, he and five other fishers went together for sailing on a fishing boat belonging to Bahjat Baker. He added that they started fishing four nautical miles off al-Sudaniya shore. They had fished for an hour and a half, but suddenly an Israeli gunboat that was around opened fire at them. Baker pointed that they tried to flee after they heard the gunfire, but Israeli gunboats chased and directly fired at them. As a result, he sustained five bullet wounds to the legs and Mohammed Mahmoud al-Louh sustained two bullet wounds to the left leg.

On Monday, 01 June 2015, Israeli forces arrested five fishers, including a child, while fishing about four nautical miles off Gaza City shore. These fishers were identified as: Adel Sa'id Abu Reyala (42), Yusef Adel Abu Reyala (19), Mohammed Ibrahim al-Najjar (35), Rami Ibrahim al-Najjar (30) and Ibrahim Hani al-Najjar (11). Four of them were released on Monday midnight, while Rami al-Najjar has remained in custody.

PCHR condemns the violations committed by the Israeli navy forces against Palestinian fishers in the Gaza Strip, and calls upon Israeli forces to:

1. Immediately stop its policy of chasing and arresting Palestinian fishers, to allow them to sail and fish freely, and to return confiscated fishing boats and tools;

2. Pay compensation to the victims of Israel’s violations for the physical and material damage caused to fishers and their property;

3. Release Palestinian fishermen who have been under the Israeli custody; and

4. Calls upon the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention 1949, to intervene in order to stop Israeli violation against Palestinian fishermen and allow them to fish freely in the Gaza Strip sea.

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."

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.

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.

[Palestinian fishing boat severly damaged by Israeli Navy fire]

extract from PCHR weekly report 13-19/11/2014

Saturday, 15 November 2014

At approximately 14:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat, where there was a generator and 6 torches, sailing 1.5 nautical miles off the Rafah seaport in the southern Gaza Strip.  As a result, a boat belonging to the al-Bardaweel family in Rafah was severely damaged, but no causalities were reported.

Israeli occupation navy flouts truce, destroys Gaza fishing boat

GAZA, (PIC)-- A Palestinian fishing boat was seriously damaged on Monday afternoon as an Israeli occupation navy boat showered it with machinegun fire off Gaza shores.

Head of Gaza’s fishermen syndicate, Nizar Ayash, said: “An Israeli navy boat opened fire heavily at a small Palestinian fishing boat docked at Gaza’s southern coast, leading to inoperable damage.”

Palestinian medics said no injuries have yet been detected among the fishermen.

Observers said the attack represents a flagrant violation of the Cairo-brokered truce accord stipulating an unconditional cease-fire.

According to Gaza fishermen syndicate, fishing is the chief source of income for over 4,000 hands seeking to nurture some 50,000 Gazans.

Huge damages, estimated at some 6 million dollars, have been wrought on the sector due to the latest Israeli 51-day offensive on the blockaded Strip.

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extract from PCHR weekly report 13-19/11/2014

 Monday, 17 November 2014

 

· At approximately 16:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire and fired shells at two Palestinian fishing boats, where there were 4 generators and 12 torches, sailing 1.5 nautical miles off the Rafah fishing harbort in the southern Gaza Strip.  As a result, one of the boats was drowned and another one was severely damaged.  The two boats belong to the al-Bardaweel family in Rafah. No causalities were reported.

[Boat burnt because of Israeli Navy attack]

extract from PCHR weekly report 23 - 29/10/2014

 Thursday, 23 October 2014

At approximately 23:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire and fired shells at a fishing boat sailing 1 nautical mile off the fishing harbor in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.  As a result, the boat which belongs to the Baker family in Gaza was burnt, but no injuries were reported.  

Israeli Naval Forces Confiscated Fishing Boat and Equipment in the Gaza Waters

PCHR

Tuesday, 24 December 2013 00:00

Date: 127/2013 

Israeli Naval Forces stationed off Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip confiscated a Palestinian fishing boat anchored at approximately 5 nautical miles off al-Wahah shore in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip the area, and then pulled it.  The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the continued targeting of fishermen and their livelihoods. Economic and social rights of fishermen have been violated by the illegal naval blockade imposed by Israeli authorities on the Gaza waters since June 2007.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 12:15 on Tuesday, 23 December 2013, a group of Palestinian fishermen, who were sailing on a boat, saw an Israeli gunboat accompanied with two small rubber boats boarded by Israeli naval forces heading to a Palestinian boat anchored in the sea at approximately 5 nautical miles off al-Wahah shore in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.  One of the fishermen said that he saw the Israeli forces pulling the Palestinian boat belonging to ‘Adel Sa’id Mohammed Abu Ryalah (41) from Shati’a refugee camp in Gaza City.  They then headed to the north to the Israeli waters.  ‘Adel Abu Ryalah said to a PCHR fieldworker that at approximately 15:00 on Monday, 22 December 2013, he sailed his boat, which holds license no. 12385, and went with a number of boats to al-Wahah shore in Beit Lahia.  They arrived at approximately 5 nautical miles.  He added that he anchored the boat, which has no engine and 2 generators, 5 searchlights, and two paddles on board, in the waters.  He then left the sea on another boat.  He said that after the recent storm, he is used to leaving daily the boat and coming back in the next day as he used it for bringing fish.  Abu Ryalah also said that on Tuesday he sailed to the same area, where his boat was anchored, as he knew from fishermen, who were on the board of another boat, that the Israeli naval forces confiscated his boat.

PCHR condemns the continued Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip, and:

1. Calls for immediately stopping the policy of chasing and arresting Palestinian fishermen, and allowing them to sail and fish freely;

2. Demands compensation for the fishermen for the physical and material damage caused to them and their property as a result of these violations;

3. Calls upon the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, to immediately intervene to stop the Israeli violations against the Palestinian fishermen and to allow them to sail and fish freely in the Gaza Sea.

Gaza: “Free the Holy Land sea”

23rd December 2013 | International Solidarity Movement, Rosa Schiano | Gaza, Occupied Palestine

Fisherman and their boats in the Gaza seaport. (Photo by Rosa Schiano)

“Free the Holy Land sea” was a three-day protest by fishermen in Gaza which began on Tuesday, 17th November. The fishermen, supported by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights and al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, set up a tent at the Gaza seaport in which photographs showing Israeli violations were exhibited, along with banners in solidarity with the fishermen.
In the tent were fishermen, international and Palestinian activists for the rights of fishermen and political prisoners, and representatives of human rights centers. Politicians came to give their greetings and express solidarity with the fishermen.
“Since last year, massive attacks against Palestinian fishermen have become a practice of the Israeli naval forces,” said Khalil Shaheen, director of the economics and social rights unit at the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. “The attack on the fundamental rights of the fishermen, their livelihoods, makes the lives of thousands of fishermen impossible. From September 2009 until the current day, two Palestinian fishermen have been killed, 24 injured, at least 150 arrested, 49 boats seized by the Israeli forces, and at least 120 boats destroyed partially or totally, including during the last military operation, Pillar of Defense, in which harbors were also bombed.”
“Palestinian fishermen are losing 85% of their annual income due to the restrictions in the maritime area and the naval blockade,” Shaheen added. ”I think it’s very important to send a clear message in support of the fishermen. For Christmas and the New Year, Palestinian fishermen ask their friends and brothers in the rest of the world to convince the Israeli occupation to end the illegal blockade in Gaza, and to free the Holy Land sea, to grant them their rights.”

Salim al-Faseh. (Photo by Rosa Schiano)

Among the fishermen present at the event, Salim al-Faseh, age 57, was wounded by Israeli military fire in September while fishing on a trawler about six miles offshore. The bullets severed the little finger of his right hand and destroyed part of the internal tissue. Salim will have to wait for his surgery in February, when an internal fixator will be removed, to know if he can use his fingers again. “God willing, this event will help the fishermen,” al-Faseh said.
“The fishing sector is the sector that suffers the most in Gaza,” he added. “We suffer from lack of fuel, the limits imposed on the fishing area, the unsuitable materials. Everything is making the profession of fishing die.”
The port was calm under a blue sky. After the raging storm and incessant rain that flooded roads and houses in the Gaza Strip, the sun was shining again. Some fishermen were harvesting small fish from their nets. Others sat under the sun and spoke of their daily problems, especially the economic difficulties faced by Gaza fishermen.
The Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip affects Palestinians’ economic and social conditions. More than 75,000 people depend on the fishing industry as the main source of their livelihood.
Israel has progressively restricted Palestinian fishermen’s access to the sea. The 20 nautical miles established under the Gaza-Jericho Agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1994 were reduced to 12 miles in the Bertini Agreement of 2002. In 2006, the area Israel allowed for fishing was reduced to six nautical miles from the coast. After its “Operation Cast Lead” military offensive (December 2008 – January 2009) Israel imposed a limit of three nautical miles from the coast, preventing Palestinians from accessing 85% of the water to which they are entitled under the Gaza-Jericho Agreement.
Under the ceasefire agreement by Israel and the Palestinian resistance after the Israeli “Operation Pillar of Defense” military offensive (November 2012), Israel agreed that Palestinian fishermen could again sail six nautical miles from the coast. Despite these agreements, the Israeli navy has not stopped its attacks on fishermen, even within this limit. In March 2013, Israel once again imposed a limit of three nautical miles from the coast. On 22 May, Israeli military authorities announced a decision to restore the limit to six nautical miles.
In the month of November alone, PCHR reports 12 attacks. During one, gunfire injured a fisherman. Overall six fishermen were arrested and six boats confiscated. These attacks constitute a violation of the international humanitarian law.
At the end of the event, fishermen, along with human rights organizations, submitted a letter to the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process office in Gaza City.

(Photo by Rosa Schiano)

(Photo by Rosa Schiano)

Israeli naval forces chased Palestinian fishermen and confiscated their fishing equipment in the Gaza waters

19th December 2013 | Palestinian Centre for Human Rights| Occupied Palestine

Israeli Naval Forces stationed off Beit Lahi shore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in 4 separate incidents while sailing between 600 meters and 3 nautical miles.  Israeli naval forces also confiscated 24 fishing nets.  The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) expresses concern over the continued targeting of fishermen and their livelihoods. Economic and social rights of fishermen have been violated by the illegal naval blockade imposed by Israeli authorities on the Gaza waters since June 2007.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 10:40 on Wednesday, 18 December 2013, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat that was sailing about 600 meters off al-Wahah shore in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Two gunboats surrounded the fishing boat that was boarded by 3 fishermen: Mahmoud ‘Ali ‘Arouq (16); his brother Mohammed (22); and Jom’aah Amin ‘Arouq (24). Israeli naval forces ordered them to stop fishing and give themselves up, but they refused and fled away. The naval forces confiscated 14 fishing nets whose total lengths are 840 meters.  Mahmoud ‘Ali ‘Arouq (28) said that they left the waters to the shore and watched the gunboats hoping that they would regain the fishing nets.  However, the gunboats confiscated the fishing nets and left the place.

In another incident, at approximately 12:30 yesterday, 18 December 2013, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a fishing boat belonging to Khalid ‘Awad al-Kafranah, from Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, while sailing at approximately 1.5 nautical miles off al-Wahah shore in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli naval forces then confiscated 10 fishing nets.

In a third incident, at approximately 06:00 on Tuesday, 17 December 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Wahah shore in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing approximately 3 nautical miles offshore.  The shooting continued for about 10 minutes, so fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being attacked.

In a fourth incident, at approximately 14:10 on Monday, 16 December 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off  al-Wahah shore in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing at approximately 3 nautical miles offshore.  The shooting continued for about 15 minutes, so fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being attacked.

PCHR condemns the continued Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip, and:

1.       Calls for immediately stopping the policy of chasing and arresting Palestinian fishermen, and allowing them to sail and fish freely;

2.       Demands compensation for the fishermen for the physical and material damage caused to them and their property as a result of these violations;

3.       Calls upon the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, to immediately intervene to stop the Israeli violations against the Palestinian fishermen and to allow them to sail and fish freely in the Gaza Sea.

Gaza Strip: Attacks in the border areas and their consequences

 PCHR

Thursday, 12 December 2013 00:00

 

Following disengagement from the Gaza Strip in September 2005, Israel unilaterally and illegally established a so-called “buffer zone”, an area prohibited to Palestinians along the land and sea borders of the Gaza Strip. The precise area designated by Israel as a “buffer zone” is not clear and this Israeli policy is typically enforced with live fire. The establishment of the ‘buffer zone’ is illegal under both Israeli and international law.

Preventing Palestinians from accessing their lands and fishing areas violates numerous provisions of international human rights law, including the right to work, the right to an adequate standard of living, and the right to the highest attainable standard of health. Enforcing the “buffer zone” through the use of live fire often results in, inter alia, the direct targeting of civilians and/or indiscriminate attacks, both of which constitute war crimes.

Following the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in November 2012, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian armed groups was brokered by the Egyptian government, which included terms related to access to land and sea. In an online statement on 25 February 2013, the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) declared that fishermen could now access the sea up to six nautical miles offshore, and that farmers could now access lands in the border area up to 100m from the border fence. However, both references have since been removed from the statement. Then, on 21 March 2013, the Israeli forces’ spokesperson announced re-reducing the fishing area allowed for Palestinian fishermen from 6 nautical miles to 3 nautical miles.  However, on 21 May 2013, Israeli authorities decided to allow fishermen to sail up to 6 nautical miles.

Dimensions

On land, inside Palestinian territory Distance from the border fence, up to which access is permitted: · Second Intifada (2000): 150 metres · According to Israel (2010) : 300 metres · 22 November 2012: unclear parameters · 25 February 2013: 100 metres · 21 March 2013: 300 metres In reality, attacks against civilians take place anywhere up to approximately 1.5 kilometres inside the border fence. This constitutes approximately 17% of the total territory of the Gaza Strip.

At sea, off the coast of the Gaza Strip Distance from the shore, up to which access is permitted: · Oslo Accords (1994): 20 nautical miles (nm) · Bertini Commitment (2002): 12 nm · October 2006: 6 nm · End of 2007 : 3 nm · 22 November 2012: 6 nm · 25 February 2013: unknown · 12 March 2013: 3 nm · 21 May 2013: 6 nm In addition, access is consistently denied in the following areas: · 1.5 nm in the north along the maritime boundary with Israel · 1 nm in the south along the maritime boundary with Egypt

Impact

On land · Approximately 27,000 dunums, 35% of the Gaza Strip's agricultural land, can only be accessed under high personal risk, as Israeli attacks may result in injury or death of civilians. · 95% of the restricted area is arable land. · After the evacuation of settlements (2005) and ‘Operation Cast Lead’ (2008-2009), the majority of Palestinian families living in the border areas abandoned their land and homes.

At sea · Palestinians are completely prevented from accessing 85% of the Palestinian maritime areas recognised in the 1994 Gaza Jericho Agreement. · Approximately 3,700 fishermen work under high personal risk every day at sea. · Approximately 8,200 persons work in the fishing industry. · Approximately 65,000 persons, including individuals who work in the fishing industry and their dependents, are affected by the “buffer zone” restrictions at sea. · The area near the coast is markedly over-fished.

* These numbers do not represent all the incursions into Palestinian waters by Israeli naval forces, only the reported incidents. More often, the reported incidents involve shooting, injury and/or killing.

Attacks

November 2013

Attacks	Total	“Buffer zone” on land	“Buffer zone” at sea
Shelling	3	3	0
Shooting	20	8	12
Incursions	3	3	0
Land levelling	0	0	0
Detention incidents	5	2	3
Total incidents	31	16	15

Consequences of attacks

a. Deaths and injuries

November 2013

Consequences	Total	“Buffer zone” on land	“Buffer zone” at sea
Death of persons	0	0	0
Minors	0	0	0
Women	0	0	0
Injury of persons	6	5	1
Minors	0	0	0
Women	0	0	0

b. Property related violations

November 2013

Consequences	Total	“Buffer zone” on land	“Buffer zone” at sea
Property damaged	1	0	1
Property confiscated	3	0	3
Dunums razed	0	0	0

c. Detention

November 2013

Consequences	Total	“Buffer zone” on land	“Buffer zone” at sea
Detention incidents	5	2	3
Total persons detained	10	4	6
Minors detained	5	3	2
Women detained	0	0	0

* Nine of the arrested persons were released

* One of the arrested persons is a patient, who was supposed to undergo surgery, but he was arrested at Erez Crossing and still under arrest so far.