Israeli navy shoots, injures 2 Palestinian fishermen off Gaza coast

(File) 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli naval forces shot and injured two unarmed Palestinian fishermen who were working off the coast of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip overnight Sunday.

Spokesman for the health ministry in Gaza Ashraf al-Qidra said the two fishermen were evacuated to Nasser Medical Center in Khan Yunis for treatment. They were both shot in the feet, according to al-Qidra. 

A Palestinian security source identified the fishermen as Ibrahim al-Jahjouh and Khader Abu Shammala. 

An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports. 

As part of Israel's blockade of the coastal enclave since 2007, the Israeli army, citing security concerns, requires Palestinian fishermen to work within a limited "designated fishing zone," the exact limits of which are decided by the Israeli authorities and have historically fluctuated.

The Israeli army regularly detains and opens fire on unarmed Palestinian fishermen, shepherds, and farmers along the border areas if they approach the unilaterally declared buffer zone.

In May, Israeli forces shot and killed an unarmed Palestinian fisherman, Muhammad Majid Bakr, off Gaza's coast.

Despite the Israeli army claiming at the time that the boat had “deviated from the designated fishing zone, prompting Israeli forces to open fire, witness testimonies and investigations conducted by multiple rights groups said his fishing boat had been well within the fishing zone when he came under fire.

Palestinian organization the al-Mezan Center for Human Rights reported that as of May, Israel had seized at least five fishing boats, detained at least 14 Palestinian fishermen, shot and injured six, and killed one other fisherman -- who drowned after Israeli forces sunk his boat, since the start of 2017.

Israeli human rights group B’tselem recently concluded that Israel’s Gaza closure and “harassment of fishermen” have been “destroying Gaza’s fishing sector,” with 95 percent of fishermen living below the poverty line.

The ongoing attacks on Gaza's fishermen come as Gaza's two million residents marked their tenth year under Israeli blockade.

Five years after the United Nations warned that Gaza could become unlivable by 2020, a new UN report determined that the situation there maybe have already reached that stage. In addition to ongoing energy and health crises, more than half of Gaza’s two million residents suffer from food insecurity.

Israeli forces Release 5 Fishermen, 2 of whom Wounded, and Keep 2 Fishing Boats in Custody

PCHR

Ref: 31/2016 

Rajab Khalid Rajab Abu Riyalah (30)

On Tuesday, 31 May 2016, Israeli navy forces opened fire at 5 fishermen on board of two fishing boats and wounded 2 of them, after which, Israeli navy forces arrested the 5 fishermen and confiscated their two boats. Israeli navy forces did not offer the medical aid for one of the wounded fishermen, who was hit with a live bullet to the right knee. On the same day, Israeli forces released the five fishermen, while the two boats have been still in custody in Ashdod Seaport. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the Israeli attacks against fishermen and their property in the Gaza Strip Sea and calls upon the international community to intervene to protect the Palestinian fishermen and stop violations and direct attacks practiced against them and their property.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 06:50 on Tuesday, 31 May 2016, 3 fishing boats were sailing within 3 nautical miles offshore, southwest of the Gaza City, on board of which were 7 fishermen. A fisherman stated that he saw two Israeli gunboats quickly approaching their boats, therefore, the fishermen attempted to flee to the shore for fear of being arrested or for their boats to be confiscated. However, they were surprised by heavy fire at them. As a result, Rajab Khalid Rajab Abu Riyalah (30) was hit with a live bullet to the right knee, while his brother Khalid, who was on board of the same boat, was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the abdomen. Israeli forces arrested the two wounded fishermen in addition to the three others, who were identified as Hasan Mohamed Ibrahim Miqdad (31) and his brother Mohamed (29) and Mohamed Bashir Sha’ban Abu Riyalah (21) after forcing them to take off their clothes. The Israeli navy forces pulled the 2 boats to Ashdod Seaport. A third fishing boat manned by 2 fishermen fled to the shore. The 2 wounded fishermen received first aid, while although Rajab Abu Riyalah was referred to Barzilai Medical Center and stayed there for 6 hours, the bullet remained in his knee. The 5 fishermen were released at approximately 19:00 on the same day, but the 2 boats remained in the Israeli custody.
Rajab Khaled Rajab Abu Riyala (30) said to PCHR’s fieldworker that once he was admitted to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, he underwent a surgery to take the bullet out of his knee. It should be noted that Abu Riyala has been at the hospital.
PCHR strongly condemns the new Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen and their property, arrests, opening gunfire at them without offering first aid, confiscation of fishing boats and other property. PCHR also considers these attack as a grave violation of the fishermen’s right to sail and fish freely and to protect their property in the Gaza waters.  Moreover, PCHR believes that such attacks against Palestinian fishermen constitute a form of collective punishment against them which aims to target fishermen and their livelihood. Furthermore, PCHR calls upon the international community to provide protection for Palestinian fishermen and their right to sail and fish freely, and to stop all forms of collective punishment against fishermen and their property which violate the international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
وim on the, Rajab Khalid Rajab Abu Riyalah (30) was hit with a live bullet to the knee, while his brother, Khalid who was accomp

Palestinian fisherman shot, 3 detained off Gaza coast

April 19, 2016 10:35 A.M. (Updated: April 19, 2016 5:35 P.M.)

AFP/File

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli naval forces shot and injured a Palestinian fisherman and detained three others off the coast Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip early Tuesday, sources saidHead of the fishermen’s union Nizar Ayyash told Ma’an the forces opened fire on the fishermen while they were working at sea within the nine-mile fishing zone designated by the Israeli authorities.The injured fisherman was released by the naval forces and taken to the hospital for medical treatment while three others were detained, Ayyash said.An Israeli spokesperson told Ma’an they were looking into the reports.Israel early this month loosened severe seaside restrictions on Palestinians in the besieged coastal enclave, extending the military-enforced designated fishing zone by three nautical miles off the southern coast of the Gaza Strip.The Gaza Strip has been under a crippling blockade since 2007 and has enforced “buffer zone” along land and sea borders for alleged security purposes. The zone is generally enforced by live fire, putting the lives of both fishermen and farmers at risk on a near-daily basis, ultimately devastating agricultural and fishing sectors of the strip’s already-withered economy.While Israel typically cites security concerns when targeting Palestinian fishermen, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights has reported in the past that fishermen are often targeted when they pose no threat.

IDF fires on Gaza fishermen despite expanded fishing zone

 972mag.com

One Palestinian fisherman is reportedly wounded by Israeli navy fire, four are arrested and their boats seized. The size of the zone where Israel allows Gazans to fish changes at the whims of Israeli military commanders and politicians, who have in the past openly discussed how they use it as collective punishment.

By Haggai Matar and Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man

Fisherman reel in their nets off the shore of the Gaza Strip. File photo. (Anne Paq/Activestills.org)

The Israeli navy opened fire on unarmed Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the northern Gaza Strip Saturday morning. No injuries were reported.

On Friday Israeli naval forces arrested four Palestinian fishermen off the southern Gaza coast. Israel released three of the four men Saturday morning. The fourth, who was reportedly wounded by naval gunfire, was expected to be released later in the day.

According to witnesses cited by both the Ma’an and Wafa news agencies, both incidents took place within the designated fishing zone.

Earlier this week the Israeli army expanded the area in which it permits Palestinians to fish from six to nine nautical miles off the coast. Palestinians are still not allowed to venture more than six nautical miles off the coast in the northern half of the Strip.

The limitations affect the amount and types of fish that can be caught, and results in overfishing within the permitted areas.

A Palestinian fisherman and his son sell their catch in the Gaza City fish market. File photo. (Anne Paq/Activestills.org)

According to the Oslo Accords which created the systems that defined the mechanisms according to which the Israeli military rules Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, Israel agreed to allow fishermen in Gaza to operate freely in a zone extending 20 nautical miles off the coast.

The Israeli army has not abided by that commitment for the past decade. Israeli authorities first shrunk the zone to 10 nautical miles, then three nautical miles. As part of a cease-fire agreement with Hamas after the 2014 Gaza war, however, Israel agreed to expand the zone to six nautical miles.
The size of the permitted fishing zone changes at the whim of Israeli military commanders and politicians, who have in the past openly discussed how they use it as collective punishment against civilians in response to rocket fire from armed groups. Sometimes Israeli naval forces simply announce via loudspeakers that they are reducing the size of the zone on a given day.

Palestinian fishermen regularly report that Israeli naval forces harass them, shoot at them, and seize their boats well within the authorized zone. Even when the army admits shooting Palestinian fishermen inside the zone, nobody is held accountable.

Illustrative photo of s sailor in the Israeli navy manning a machine gun. (IDF Spokesperson)

There were at least 139 incidents in which Israeli military forces fired on Palestinian fishermen in 2015, wounding at least 24 fishermen and damaging at least 16 fishing boats, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR). An additional six incidents involved artillery shells. The IDF arrested at least 71 fishermen and seized 22 boats in the same period.

Israel’s decade-old siege on the Gaza Strip, reinforced by Egypt, is enforced through a military blockade on Gaza’s land and sea borders, full control of the Strip’s airspace and the destruction of its only airport. Despite the fact that Israel pulled its troops out of Gaza in 2005 the army still controls the Strip’s currency (the new Israeli shekel), the population registry, large parts of the electricity and water grids, all imports and exports, and decides who may enter and exit through the only regularly open passenger border crossing.

Furthermore, the Israeli army still controls movement inside the Gaza Strip. Israeli troops maintain a no-go zone several hundred meters from the border fence. Palestinian farmers and protesters who enter the no-go zone, which comprises a significant portion of Gaza’s arable land, are regularly fired upon and sometimes killed.

Earlier this year +972 revealed that the army had begun spraying herbicides and germination inhibitors inside the Gaza Strip, damaging some 420 acres of Palestinian-owned crops. The army also regularly enters the Gaza Strip in order to clear brush and other obstacles to its line of sight which it claims Palestinian militants can use to launch attacks against Israeli troops.

The Israeli army also restricts the cellular internet speeds residents of the Gaza Strip may enjoy. The army decides with whom Gaza businesses may conduct trade, including whether they can trade with other Palestinians in the West Bank, what goods they may trade, and every other aspect of imports and exports.

A shorter version of this article first appeared in Hebrew on Local Call. Read it here.

Israeli forces shoot, injure 2 Palestinian fishermen off Gaza coast

Nov. 16, 2015 10:16 A.M. (Updated: Nov. 16, 2015 11:22 A.M.)

 

 

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Israeli forces shot and injured two Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the Gaza Strip on Monday, witnesses said.

 

Locals said the fishermen sustained moderate injuries after being targeted off the coast near Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza by Israeli naval forces.

 

An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma'an that three fishing boats deviated from the designated fishing area and Israeli forces fired warning shots in the air, with no reports of injuries.

 

Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on Palestinian fishermen and farmers since the ceasefire agreement signed Aug. 26, 2014 that ended a devastating 50-day Israeli military offensive against the Gaza Strip.

At least three Palestinian fishermen have been shot dead by Israeli forces since last September.

 

On Nov. 5, Egyptian military forces shot and killed a Palestinian fisherman off the coast of the southern Gaza Strip.Egypt upholds the Israeli military blockade on Gaza, keeping borders largely closed and limiting imports, exports, and the freedom of movement of its residents.

 

Sami Ali El Goga – The Story of a Gazan Fisherman

ISM website

Sami Ali El Goga – fisherman who was attacked by the Israeli navy.

ISM Gaza met the fisherman Sami Ali El Goga, 36, who lost his hand and part of his arm the 12th March 2007, when he was attacked by the Israeli navy. In the same attack his boat was completely destroyed and his 13-year-old nephew, who was in the boat with him, sustained shrapnel wounds throughout his body.

Eight years later he is still waiting for the assistance promised by several international agencies, as he hasn’t been able to work since the attack, and without the boat a 20-member-family lost its source of income.

On that day, Sami and his nephew had just reached the 1.5 miles naval blockade when the zionist army approached and started shooting rockets towards them. They attempted to escape to the closest beach, as there was no chance to reach the port. Once on the beach the shooting didn’t stop. Whilst attempting to escape from the boat with his nephew, it was hit by a rocket and in the explosion Sami was severely injured. He nearly bled to death waiting for medical assistance as the Israeli navy prevented any recue from reaching him until 30 minutes later.

After 3 hospitals in Gaza weren’t able to treat him the Palestinian Authority mediated in order that he could be treated in a Hospital in the ‘48 territories (AKA Israel), as the occupation had previously refused to allow him to exit Gaza. The doctors there amputated his hand and afterwards he was taken by the zionist intelligence for an interrogation before sending him back to Gaza.

This wasn’t the first attack Sami suffered, as another boat from his family had been stolen by the occupation in the past.

Israel navy shoots, critically injures Gaza fisherman

July 21, 2015 12:37 P.M. (Updated: July 21, 2015 2:18 P.M.)

(MaanImages/File)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli naval forces shot and injured a Palestinian fisherman with live rounds off the coast of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning, witnesses said.Witnesses said that the fisherman in his 20s was hit with a live bullet in his back and several rubber-coated steel bullets in his hand while fishing off the coast northwest of Gaza City.The unidentified fisherman was taken to al-Shifa Hospital where his injury was reported as critical.An Israeli army spokeswoman had information of an incident off the Gazan coast, but said she was not aware of any injuries sustained by Palestinians.She said that Israeli naval forces fired warning shots "in the air and in the water" after a Palestinian fishing vessel "deviated from the designated fishing zone."She said that the boat "ignored the warnings," at which point Israeli forces fired at the boat's engine.She said that the fishermen and boat were taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod for questioning, before they were released.It was not clear whether the incident was related to the injury reported in Gaza.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 May alone, there were a total of 51 incidents of shootings, incursions into the coastal enclave, and arrests, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.This included 41 shootings, which left nine injured, including one minor.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 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.

-----------

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.

----------
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.
---------
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 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 shoot, injure Palestinian fisherman off Gaza coast

Published Wednesday 08/04/2015 (updated) 10/04/2015 17:54

 

Two Palestinian fishermen paddle their small boat off the beach of Gaza
City while casting their nets on Aug. 10, 2014. (AFP/File)

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces on Wednesday shot and injured a Palestinian man with a rubber-coated steel bullet as he was fishing off the coast of the northern Gaza Strip.

Local sources said that fisherman Khalid Zayid was shot while he was at sea off the coast of the town of Beit Lahiya.

An Israeli military spokeswoman did not return a request for comment.

Israeli authorities maintained a limit of three miles on all activities of fishermen in the Gaza Strip until August, when Hamas negotiated a six-mile limit as part of the ceasefire that concluded Israel's two-month summer assault that left 2,200 dead.

But Israeli authorities have frequently shot at Palestinian fishermen inside the limit, and three have been killed since then.

Twenty-nine attacks by Israeli forces on Palestinian fisherman have have been reported since Sept. 1 by Gaza-based watchdog al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, however due to the normalcy of such incidents, attacks often go unreported.

The center also said that 42 fisherman had been detained and 12 fishing boats confiscated in the same period.

There are approximately 4,000 fishermen in Gaza.

According to a 2011 report by the International Committee of the Red Cross 90 percent are poor, an increase of 40 percent from 2008 and a direct result of Israeli limits on the fishing industry.

The Gaza Strip has been under a blockade imposed by the State of Israel since 2006 which has devastated the economy through near-complete limits on imports and exports.

The blockade has massively increased Palestinian dependance on international food aid, and the fishing industry is one of the few ways Gazans can produce their own food sources.

Palestinian fisherman killed by Israeli navy off the coast of Gaza

 

GAZA, (PIC)-- A Palestinian fisherman, Tawfiq Abu Riyalah, has died Saturday noon due to injuries he sustained since the early morning hours at the hands of Israeli navy forces that opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in Gaza sea.

The spokesman of the Ministry of Health Ashraf al-Qudrah told the PIC reporter that the Palestinian fisherman Abu Riyalah, 32, died in Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza affected by wounds in the abdomen suffered in the Israeli navy attack on Gazan fishermen at dawn Saturday.

Qudrah said a number of the wounded arrived at the hospital with cases ranging between minor and moderate.

At dawn Saturday, the Israeli navy boats fired machineguns at Palestinian fishing boats. The Israeli attack resulted in the death of Abu Riyalah and the injury and arrest of others whereas one boat was confiscated.  

The Gazan fishing boats are almost daily subjected to harassment by the Israeli navy boats deployed off the Gaza coast. As a result, many casualties are suffered in addition to the confiscation of boats and fishing tools. 

----------------

Fisherman Killed By Israeli Fire In Gaza Waters

Saturday March 07, 2015 23:25 by IMEMC & Agencies

Palestinian medical sources have reported that a fisher who was shot and injured by Israeli navy fire, earlier Saturday, died of his wounds in the Shifa Medical Center, in Gaza, a few hours after his injury.

Tawfiq Abu Ryala - Watania News Agency

The fisher, Tawfiq Abu Ryala, 34, was shot in the abdomen when Israeli naval ships opened fire on fishing boats in Palestinian territorial waters, less than six nautical miles off the coast.

The soldiers also forced two fishers, Jihad, 22, and his brother Wahid Sayyed Kaskin, 23 years of age, to swim towards their ship, and kidnapped them.

The attack is part of frequent Israeli violations against the fishers, and their boats, in direct violation of all ceasefire agreements, and the Oslo accords.

Hundreds of residents marched in the funeral procession and ceremony of the slain Palestinian while chanting slogans against the Israeli occupation, its escalating violations and assaults.

On Thursday morning, the navy, shot and wounded two fishermen in Palestinian waters near the Sudaniyya area, northwest of Gaza City, and kidnapped four others.

Two more attacks were reported on Tuesday and Monday of this week. All took place while the boats were in Palestinian territorial waters, within the six allotted nautical miles. 

----------------

Gaza fisherman dies after Israeli forces fire on boats

 

Published yesterday (updated) 08/03/2015 16:09

Palestinian fisherman off the coast of Gaza in 2005 (MaanImages)

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) – Israeli naval forces shot and killed a Palestinian fisherman, and arrested two others while they were sailing in small fishing boats off the coast south of Gaza City early Saturday morning.

Speaker of the union of Gaza fishermen Nizar Ayyash told Ma'an that Israeli gunboats opened machine gun fire at a group of Palestinian fishermen. Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra confirmed to Ma'an that Tawfiq Abu Riyala died from injuries sustained by the fire.

Ayyash added that Israeli navy then seized two fishing boats and took them to unknown destination.

An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that after four vessels deviated from the fishing zone this morning, Israeli forces ordered the vessels to halt. Warning shots were fired towards the engines of the vessels, and two hits were confirmed. Two of the vessels were detained by Israeli forces, the other two turning back.

The spokeswoman added that every deviation by fishing boats from the fishing zone is perceived by Israeli forces as a security threat, citing an incident last month in which a vessel was caught outside of the fishing zone with arms intended for Hamas.

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 routinely opened fire at fishermen within those new limits, and the zone has not been expanded.

The al-Mezan Center for Human Rights reported that since the ceasefire agreement Israeli forces have detained 49 Palestinian fishermen, injured 17, confiscated 12 fishing boats and damaged fishing tools in nine other incidents.

Recent targeting of Gazan fishermen comes at a time when economic growth in the coastal enclave is near frozen and 80 percent of the population is food insecure, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

 

Israeli forces shoot, injure 2 fishermen off Gaza coast

Published yesterday (updated) 05/03/2015 13:39

 

(MaanImages/File)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Two Palestinian fishermen were shot and injured as Israeli naval gunboats opened fire at a group of fishing boats off the Mediterranean coast west of the al-Sudaniyya neighborhood in the northern Gaza Strip.

Speaker of the union of Gaza fishermen, Nizar Ayyash, identified the victims as Eid Muhsin Bakr and Ziad Fahd Bakr, confirming that one of them is in a serious condition. The two have been evacuated to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

Ayyash added that Israel's navy arrested three other fishermen.

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. This morning's incident was the fourth of its kind this week alone.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said a fishing boat deviated from the designated area and Israeli forces fired warning shots in the air.

"When the boat failed to comply, forces use riot dispersal means, with reports of one Palestinian injured in the foot," she added.

Israeli forces open fire at Gaza fishermen, injure 3

Published yesterday (updated) 10/11/2014 17:45

(MaanImages/File)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli gunboats shot and injured three Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the southern Gaza Strip late Sunday, witnesses told Ma'an.

The witnesses said Israeli forces shot at the boat until it took fire, and that fishermen in a nearby boat managed to pull the injured aboard and escape under heavy fire.

The injured fishermen were taken to Abu Yusuf al-Najjar hospital in Rafah.

An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that navy forces identified a Palestinian boat entering Egyptian territorial waters around 10 p.m. Sunday, and that upon its return to Palestinian waters the forces called on the boat to stop.

When the boat did not stop, the naval forces opened fire at the boat, "identifying a hit."

She confirmed that the boat caught fire and said that Palestinians "were seen jumping into the water."

Israeli forces believe the incident is "probably a potential smuggling," the spokeswoman said.

She added that a similar incident occurred at 1 a.m. Monday morning.

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 at times opened fire at fishermen within those new limits, and the zone has not been expanded.

Prior to the recent agreement, Israeli forces maintained a limit of three nautical miles on all Gaza fishermen, opening fire at fishermen who strayed further, despite earlier agreements which had settled on a 20-mile limit.

The restrictions have crippled Gaza's fishing industry and impoverished local fishermen.

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Israeli Gunboats Attack and Burn Two Fishing Boats

 Al Mezan

At approximately 9:30 pm on Sunday, 9 November 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire and launched shells targeting a fishing boat that was sailing about 200 meters away in the sea near the nautical borders with Egypt.
As a result, the boat was totally burned and two fishermen were sustained shrapnel wounds in their limbs.
They were referred to Abu Youssif An-Najjar hospital in Rafah.
Medical sources described their injuries as moderate, and they refused to disclose their identity in the hospital.
At approximately 11:40 pm on the same day, Israeli gunboats opened fire and launched shells at a fishing boat that was sailing about 800 meters away in the sea off the fishermen port in Rafah, in the south-west of Gaza Strip.
The boat was burned, and no injuries or causalities were reported.

Gaza fisherman shot by Egyptian boats

Published yesterday (updated) 28/05/2014 23:03

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A Palestinian fisherman was shot by Egyptian boats in the sea near Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Spokesman for the Gaza ministry of health Ashraf al-Qidra told Ma'an that a fisherman was shot in the face by Egyptian boats off the coast of Rafah.

Al-Qidra said that the victim was 16 years old but did not identify him by name.

He was taken to the European Gaza Hospital with moderate to serious injuries, al-Qidra added.

Although Israeli soldiers enforcing a 7-year-old blockade on the Gaza Strip frequently fire at Palestinian fishermen who stray too far from the coast, Egyptian forces -- who also enforce the siege, at Israel's request -- do so much more rarely.

IOF Opens Fire at Palestinian Fishermen and Injures One in Northern Gaza

Al Mezan

26-5-2014

At approximately 2:30 pm on Monday 26 May 2014, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a group of fishing lovers who were in Beit Lahiya beach near the borders. As a result, Imad Shokri Salim, 51, resident of Beit Lahiya in North Gaza district, sustained two bullets wounds in his right leg and in the right side of the back. Medical sources at Kamal Odwan hospital described his injury as critical. He is staying in the hospital in the intensive care unit. According to Al Mezan’s filed investigations, the fisherman was fishing using his hook when he was being shot by Israeli forces that were stationed in the observation towers. The shooting forced fishermen to leave the area fearing for their lives.  

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Israeli forces shoot, injure Palestinian in northern Gaza

 

Published Monday 26/05/2014 (updated) 27/05/2014 10:21

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian man in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday, a ministry spokesman and medics told Ma'an.

Ashraf al-Qidra, Gaza's health ministry spokesman, said that Israeli naval forces shot a Palestinian man in the hand and the back, moderately injuring him.

Medics identified the man as 52-year-old Imad Shukri Salim, and told Ma'an that he had been taken to Kamal Adwan hospital for treatment.

An Israeli military spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

 

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Palestinian citizen wounded in Israeli navy shooting

[ 26/05/2014 - 03:39 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Israeli navy gunboats fired at the northern Gaza Strip shores at noon Monday injuring a citizen, medical sources reported. Dr. Ashraf al-Qudra, the health ministry spokesman, told the PIC reporter that a 24-year-old man was moderately wounded in the shooting. He added that the victim was transferred to hospital where doctors said that he suffered bullets wounds in his hand and back.

 

Israeli forces fire at Gaza fishermen, injuring 2

Published Tuesday 20/05/2014 (updated) 20/05/2014 22:28

 

(MaanImages/File)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen late Monday, injuring two off the coast of Rafah in southern Gaza, security sources told Ma'an.

Ashraf al-Qidra, Gaza's health ministry spokesman, said the two sustained minor injuries after being hit by rubber-coated steel bullets.

They were transferred to Abu Yousif al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah, al-Qidra said.

An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Israel has controlled Gaza waters since its occupation of the area in 1967, and has kept several warships stationed off the coast since 2008.