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GAZA, (PIC)-- The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) on Thursday allowed Gaza fishermen to enter a distance of six nautical miles within the sea instead of three, in compliance with the terms of the truce agreement with the Palestinians. Dean of the Gaza fishermen Nizar Ayyash told Anadolu news agency that Israel allowed on Thursday morning all fishermen to sail their boats within six nautical miles rather than three. The Palestinian resistance and the Israeli occupation government reached last Tuesday a long-term truce, which was described by the resistance factions in Gaza as a victory because it achieved most of their humanitarian demands. Under the terms of the truce agreement, Israel is committed to opening all its crossings with Gaza and facilitating the entry of relief aid and reconstruction needs. The agreement also obliges Israel to expand the fishing zone to six nautical miles and resume its indirect talks with the Palestinians within one month of the ceasefire deal to address other contentious issues regarding the prisoners, the seaport and the airport. Ayyash welcomed the expansion of the fishing zone, affirming that before Israel started its latest war, fishing boats could not sail beyond three nautical miles. |
Showing posts with label fishing zone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fishing zone. Show all posts
Thursday, August 28, 2014
IOA allows Gazan fishermen to sail within six nautical miles
Monday, July 1, 2013
Gaza fishermen protest Israel blockade
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) --
Hundreds of fishermen gathered in Gaza City on Monday to protest
Israel's blockade on the coastal territory.
Abu Zakariya Baker, an official in the Agricultural Work Committee, told Ma'an that Israel has tortured, shot and killed Palestinian fishermen since the blockade was tightened seven years ago.
"Israel is practicing all kinds of psychological humiliation against fishermen, often stripping them of their clothes while arresting them, even in times of extreme cold," Baker said, urging the international community to prosecute Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.
Gaza fisherman Rami Abu Amira told Ma'an that he joined the protest to demand that Israel ends the sea blockade on Gaza and increase the fishing zone.
"Israeli forces open fire at us on a daily basis, detain fishermen and confiscate their boats. We want to live in dignity and freedom and we ask the whole international community to stand by our side."
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of arrests and attacks against fishermen since Israel's assault on Gaza last November, Baker said.
Over 50 fishermen have been arrested and eleven fishing boats destroyed last year, he added.
In May, the Israeli government re-extended Gaza's fishing zone to six miles, after reducing it in March following a rocket attack from the coastal territory.
The zone had been extended to six miles as part of an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that ended an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in November.
In the Oslo Accords, Israel agreed to a 20-nautical-mile fishing zone off Gaza's coast but it imposed a 3-mile limit for several years, opening fire at fishermen who strayed further.
Israel has controlled Gaza waters since its occupation of the area in 1967, and has kept several warships stationed off the coast since 2008.
Israel imposed restrictions on trade to Gaza in 2001 following the outbreak of a Palestinian uprising and tightened them further in 2007 after Hamas took over in the coastal enclave adjacent to Egypt, which also enforces a blockade.
Abu Zakariya Baker, an official in the Agricultural Work Committee, told Ma'an that Israel has tortured, shot and killed Palestinian fishermen since the blockade was tightened seven years ago.
"Israel is practicing all kinds of psychological humiliation against fishermen, often stripping them of their clothes while arresting them, even in times of extreme cold," Baker said, urging the international community to prosecute Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.
Gaza fisherman Rami Abu Amira told Ma'an that he joined the protest to demand that Israel ends the sea blockade on Gaza and increase the fishing zone.
"Israeli forces open fire at us on a daily basis, detain fishermen and confiscate their boats. We want to live in dignity and freedom and we ask the whole international community to stand by our side."
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of arrests and attacks against fishermen since Israel's assault on Gaza last November, Baker said.
Over 50 fishermen have been arrested and eleven fishing boats destroyed last year, he added.
In May, the Israeli government re-extended Gaza's fishing zone to six miles, after reducing it in March following a rocket attack from the coastal territory.
The zone had been extended to six miles as part of an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that ended an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in November.
In the Oslo Accords, Israel agreed to a 20-nautical-mile fishing zone off Gaza's coast but it imposed a 3-mile limit for several years, opening fire at fishermen who strayed further.
Israel has controlled Gaza waters since its occupation of the area in 1967, and has kept several warships stationed off the coast since 2008.
Israel imposed restrictions on trade to Gaza in 2001 following the outbreak of a Palestinian uprising and tightened them further in 2007 after Hamas took over in the coastal enclave adjacent to Egypt, which also enforces a blockade.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Israel opens fire at Gaza fishermen to impose new limit
GAZA CITY
(Ma'an) -- Israeli forces opened fire at fishermen off Gaza's coast on
Saturday, forcing them to comply with a newly imposed reduced fishing
zone following a rocket attack on southern Israel.
Israel's army announced Thursday that the fishing zone for Palestinians in Gaza would be reduced from six to three miles following a rocket attack.
Fishermen in Gaza told Ma'an that Israel's navy opened fire at them on Saturday to prevent them from going out further than 3 miles.
Mahfouth Kabariti, head of a federation for fishermen and water sports, confirmed that the Israeli navy had set up new signs defining the permitted fishing zone.
The zone had been extended to 11 km as part of an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that ended an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in November, in which 166 Palestinians and six Israelis were killed.
The newly imposed Israeli restriction does not necessarily mean that Israel has abandoned the ceasefire agreement, Gaza-based political analyst Wisam Afifa told Ma'an.
Rather, Israel is trying to use the terms of the agreement which affect humanitarian issues as a means to exert pressure on Hamas and other Palestinian resistance factions to adhere to the ceasefire deal, he said.
"When missiles are fired by an unidentified source in Gaza, that leaves question marks about the launchers and their goals," he added.
Hamas complained to Egypt on Friday after Israel suspended part of a Cairo-brokered truce agreement. An Egyptian official confirmed that the Hamas complaint had been received, saying Israel had complained separately about the rocket attack.
The official said Cairo would contact both sides to "restore their commitment to the truce".
Magles Shoura al-Mujahedeen, a hardline Islamist Salafi faction with a small presence in Gaza and the neighboring Egyptian Sinai, claimed responsibility for the salvo on Sderot.
In an online statement, the group said it had struck during Obama's visit to show up Israeli air defenses - a likely reference to Israel's US-backed Iron Dome rocket shield.
Israel's army announced Thursday that the fishing zone for Palestinians in Gaza would be reduced from six to three miles following a rocket attack.
Fishermen in Gaza told Ma'an that Israel's navy opened fire at them on Saturday to prevent them from going out further than 3 miles.
Mahfouth Kabariti, head of a federation for fishermen and water sports, confirmed that the Israeli navy had set up new signs defining the permitted fishing zone.
The zone had been extended to 11 km as part of an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that ended an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in November, in which 166 Palestinians and six Israelis were killed.
The newly imposed Israeli restriction does not necessarily mean that Israel has abandoned the ceasefire agreement, Gaza-based political analyst Wisam Afifa told Ma'an.
Rather, Israel is trying to use the terms of the agreement which affect humanitarian issues as a means to exert pressure on Hamas and other Palestinian resistance factions to adhere to the ceasefire deal, he said.
"When missiles are fired by an unidentified source in Gaza, that leaves question marks about the launchers and their goals," he added.
Hamas complained to Egypt on Friday after Israel suspended part of a Cairo-brokered truce agreement. An Egyptian official confirmed that the Hamas complaint had been received, saying Israel had complained separately about the rocket attack.
The official said Cairo would contact both sides to "restore their commitment to the truce".
Magles Shoura al-Mujahedeen, a hardline Islamist Salafi faction with a small presence in Gaza and the neighboring Egyptian Sinai, claimed responsibility for the salvo on Sderot.
In an online statement, the group said it had struck during Obama's visit to show up Israeli air defenses - a likely reference to Israel's US-backed Iron Dome rocket shield.
Hamas appeals to Egypt after Israel halves fishing zone
By Dan Williams
GAZA CITY
(Reuters) -- Hamas complained to Egypt on Friday after Israel suspended
part of a Cairo-brokered truce agreement by halving Palestinian access
to fishing waters in response to a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip.
Thursday's salvo at the Israeli border town of Sderot, which caused no casualties, coincided with a visit to Israel and the Israeli-occupied West Bank by US President Barack Obama.
It was claimed by a small al-Qaida-linked faction that has challenged the Islamist Hamas group's rule in the Gaza Strip.
Israel, which holds Hamas responsible for any violence emanating from the enclave, retaliated by shutting the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing on the Gaza border and by enforcing a newly restricted 5 km wide fishing zone.
The zone had been extended to 11 km as part of an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that ended an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in November, in which 166 Palestinians and six Israelis were killed.
"We have informed Cairo of this violation and we are waiting to hear a clear position from Egyptian mediators on this," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, giving no indication that Hamas wanted to abandon the ceasefire arrangement.
An Egyptian official confirmed that the Hamas complaint had been received, saying Israel had complained separately about the rocket attack.
The official said Cairo would contact both sides to "restore their commitment to the truce". Israel said on Thursday its new Gaza restrictions would be in place until further notice.
Magles Shoura al-Mujahedeen, a hardline Islamist Salafi faction with a small presence in Gaza and the neighboring Egyptian Sinai, claimed responsibility for the salvo on Sderot.
In an online statement, the group said it had struck during Obama's visit to show up Israeli air defenses - a likely reference to Israel's US-backed Iron Dome rocket shield.
Magles Shoura al-Muhajedeen and Hamas are both hostile to Israel. But the Salafis accuse Hamas of diluting Islamist doctrine by seeking accommodation with secular Palestinians.
Hamas has at times cracked down on the Salafis, seeing them as a threat to the stability of the impoverished Gaza Strip.
On Thursday the Hamas administration's spokesman Taher al-Nono questioned whether rockets had been fired from Gaza and reaffirmed commitment to the "mutual calm agreement brokered by Cairo".
Reducing Gaza's fishing waters spelled losses for some 3,000 Palestinians whose livelihood depends on the sea.
"There is nothing to catch within three miles from shore," said fisherman Talal Shweikh, 62. "All the fish that you see in the market today came from Egypt."
Thursday's salvo at the Israeli border town of Sderot, which caused no casualties, coincided with a visit to Israel and the Israeli-occupied West Bank by US President Barack Obama.
It was claimed by a small al-Qaida-linked faction that has challenged the Islamist Hamas group's rule in the Gaza Strip.
Israel, which holds Hamas responsible for any violence emanating from the enclave, retaliated by shutting the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing on the Gaza border and by enforcing a newly restricted 5 km wide fishing zone.
The zone had been extended to 11 km as part of an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that ended an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in November, in which 166 Palestinians and six Israelis were killed.
"We have informed Cairo of this violation and we are waiting to hear a clear position from Egyptian mediators on this," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, giving no indication that Hamas wanted to abandon the ceasefire arrangement.
An Egyptian official confirmed that the Hamas complaint had been received, saying Israel had complained separately about the rocket attack.
The official said Cairo would contact both sides to "restore their commitment to the truce". Israel said on Thursday its new Gaza restrictions would be in place until further notice.
Magles Shoura al-Mujahedeen, a hardline Islamist Salafi faction with a small presence in Gaza and the neighboring Egyptian Sinai, claimed responsibility for the salvo on Sderot.
In an online statement, the group said it had struck during Obama's visit to show up Israeli air defenses - a likely reference to Israel's US-backed Iron Dome rocket shield.
Magles Shoura al-Muhajedeen and Hamas are both hostile to Israel. But the Salafis accuse Hamas of diluting Islamist doctrine by seeking accommodation with secular Palestinians.
Hamas has at times cracked down on the Salafis, seeing them as a threat to the stability of the impoverished Gaza Strip.
On Thursday the Hamas administration's spokesman Taher al-Nono questioned whether rockets had been fired from Gaza and reaffirmed commitment to the "mutual calm agreement brokered by Cairo".
Reducing Gaza's fishing waters spelled losses for some 3,000 Palestinians whose livelihood depends on the sea.
"There is nothing to catch within three miles from shore," said fisherman Talal Shweikh, 62. "All the fish that you see in the market today came from Egypt."
Friday, March 22, 2013
Israel to limit Gaza fishing zone after rocket fire
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) --
Israel will reduce the Gaza fishing zone as punishment for Palestinians
in the Gaza Strip following a rocket attack, the Israeli military
announced Thursday.
"In response to the rocket fire earlier this morning ... the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Minister of Defense, Mr. Moshe (Bogie) Yaalon, have instructed the IDF to narrow the permitted fishing zone for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip from six to three miles," the army said.
"Additionally, Kerem Shalom crossing will be closed. These changes will continue until the IDF is otherwise instructed by the political echelon.
"The IDF considers this incident with great severity and holds the Hamas terror organization responsible for any hostile activity emanating from the Gaza Strip."
The Palestinian minister of civil affairs Hussein al-Sheikh confirmed the measure.
"The Israeli side officially informed us that Kerem Shalom crossing is closed until further notice, and that the Gaza fishing zone has been reduced from 6 to 3 miles," al-Sheikh told Ma'an.
"In response to the rocket fire earlier this morning ... the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Minister of Defense, Mr. Moshe (Bogie) Yaalon, have instructed the IDF to narrow the permitted fishing zone for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip from six to three miles," the army said.
"Additionally, Kerem Shalom crossing will be closed. These changes will continue until the IDF is otherwise instructed by the political echelon.
"The IDF considers this incident with great severity and holds the Hamas terror organization responsible for any hostile activity emanating from the Gaza Strip."
The Palestinian minister of civil affairs Hussein al-Sheikh confirmed the measure.
"The Israeli side officially informed us that Kerem Shalom crossing is closed until further notice, and that the Gaza fishing zone has been reduced from 6 to 3 miles," al-Sheikh told Ma'an.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Hamas says fishing limit to extend under ceasefire deal
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) –
Egyptian, Israeli and Palestinian officials representing the Hamas-run
government in Gaza will meet next Monday in Cairo to discuss the
aftermath of the ceasefire agreement.
The Office of Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said he was informed by the director of Egyptian intelligence that Israel agreed to allow Gaza fishermen to go six nautical miles off the coast of Gaza instead of three, which has been the limit under Israel's siege.
"Israel has allowed Palestinian fishermen to fish in Gaza's waters at a distance of six miles, up from three miles," Haniyeh's office said.
Israel had no immediate comment.
Murad al-Issi, a member of a local fishermens' group, told Reuters his colleagues had already ventured out to the six-mile limit on Saturday, undisturbed by Israel.
"The Israeli army naval boat which used to fire and torch Palestinian boats that sailed beyond a three-mile distance watched without doing anything to prevent them," Issi said.
Palestinians say the Israeli restrictions had hampered the amount and variety of fish they could catch.
"This is a good step," Issi said, adding it would be best to be permitted double the distance.
In another apparent Israeli step to ease restrictions, Palestinian farmers tended land along the frontier with Israel without incident, a day after Israeli troops killed a Palestinian man at a border fence.
Gaza security officials were on patrol and Israeli soldiers looked on without interfering, but for a brief verbal exchange between one soldier and a Hamas guard, witnesses said.
Palestinians denounced Friday's shooting as a violation of the ceasefire and Egypt intervened to restore calm.
Haniyeh's office said in a statement that the border zone would also be addressed in Monday's meeting, among other things.
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators agreed on a 20-nautical-mile fishing zone off Gaza's coast under the Oslo Accords, but Israel unilaterally imposes a 3-mile limit.
Israeli warships frequently open fire at boats that allegedly stray from the permitted area.
Israel has controlled Gaza waters since its occupation of the area in 1967, and has kept several warships stationed off the coast since 2008.
Reuters contributed to this report.
The Office of Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said he was informed by the director of Egyptian intelligence that Israel agreed to allow Gaza fishermen to go six nautical miles off the coast of Gaza instead of three, which has been the limit under Israel's siege.
"Israel has allowed Palestinian fishermen to fish in Gaza's waters at a distance of six miles, up from three miles," Haniyeh's office said.
Israel had no immediate comment.
Murad al-Issi, a member of a local fishermens' group, told Reuters his colleagues had already ventured out to the six-mile limit on Saturday, undisturbed by Israel.
"The Israeli army naval boat which used to fire and torch Palestinian boats that sailed beyond a three-mile distance watched without doing anything to prevent them," Issi said.
Palestinians say the Israeli restrictions had hampered the amount and variety of fish they could catch.
"This is a good step," Issi said, adding it would be best to be permitted double the distance.
In another apparent Israeli step to ease restrictions, Palestinian farmers tended land along the frontier with Israel without incident, a day after Israeli troops killed a Palestinian man at a border fence.
Gaza security officials were on patrol and Israeli soldiers looked on without interfering, but for a brief verbal exchange between one soldier and a Hamas guard, witnesses said.
Palestinians denounced Friday's shooting as a violation of the ceasefire and Egypt intervened to restore calm.
Haniyeh's office said in a statement that the border zone would also be addressed in Monday's meeting, among other things.
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators agreed on a 20-nautical-mile fishing zone off Gaza's coast under the Oslo Accords, but Israel unilaterally imposes a 3-mile limit.
Israeli warships frequently open fire at boats that allegedly stray from the permitted area.
Israel has controlled Gaza waters since its occupation of the area in 1967, and has kept several warships stationed off the coast since 2008.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Israeli navy harassing Palestinian fishermen at 400 mt from Gaza beach - 28 August 2012
Canale di rosaingaza
I took this video this morning while I was in Soudania beach, north Gaza city.
At about 10.50 am the two boats of the Israeli navy surrounded 6 palestinians fishing boats.
Also, the Israeli navy shot at one of the palestinian boats with five bullets.
After 15 minutes, the fishermen escaped and went back to the port of Gaza city.
The fishing zone was supposed to be 20 nautical miles, according to the Jericho agreements from 1994 (under the Oslo accords), then it was reduced to 12 miles, to 6 miles and now to 3 miles since January 2009. The marine 'buffer zone' restricts Gazan fishermen from accessing 85% of Gaza's fishing waters agreed to by Oslo.
Israel has been regularly attacking Palestinian fishermen within the purported 3 nautical mile fishing limit.
The livelihood of many Gazans relies on fishing and Israel has been using live ammunition and water cannons to prevent fishermen from doing their work.
I took this video this morning while I was in Soudania beach, north Gaza city.
At about 10.50 am the two boats of the Israeli navy surrounded 6 palestinians fishing boats.
Also, the Israeli navy shot at one of the palestinian boats with five bullets.
After 15 minutes, the fishermen escaped and went back to the port of Gaza city.
The fishing zone was supposed to be 20 nautical miles, according to the Jericho agreements from 1994 (under the Oslo accords), then it was reduced to 12 miles, to 6 miles and now to 3 miles since January 2009. The marine 'buffer zone' restricts Gazan fishermen from accessing 85% of Gaza's fishing waters agreed to by Oslo.
Israel has been regularly attacking Palestinian fishermen within the purported 3 nautical mile fishing limit.
The livelihood of many Gazans relies on fishing and Israel has been using live ammunition and water cannons to prevent fishermen from doing their work.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Gaza fishermen: 'We are no longer fishermen, we've become traders'
Fishermen explain how they have resorted to buying fish smuggled through tunnels from Egypt, unable to fish in their own waters
Monday, December 19, 2011
PCHR Condemns Placing Large Floats 3 Miles from Gaza Seashore to Tighten the Siege Imposed on the Gaza Strip
PCHR
Thursday, 15 December 2011 12:50
Ref: 142/2011
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the placing of large floats by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) 3 miles from the Gaza Strip seashore, beyond which Palestinian fishermen are banned from sailing. This measure serves to institutionalize the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, and enhances IOF’s control over the Gaza Strip’s regional water. PCHR warns that this measure will lead to more attacks by IOF against Palestinian fishermen, depriving them of their means of subsistence, under the pretest of sailing beyond the sea floats.
PCHR has obtained affidavits from a number of Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip, in which they expressed concerns that such Israeli measures would tighten the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and restrict their work by limiting the permissible fishing area to only 3 nautical miles.
According to Mr. Mohammed Subhi al-Hissi, Head of the Union of Fishermen in Gaza City, the Israeli naval forces started to place large floats to serve as border signs, above which are lights and devices believed to be photographing and monitoring devices, at a distance of 3 nautical miles from the Gaza Strip seashore. The Israeli naval forces warned Palestinian fishermen through leaflets not to sail beyond such border signs, otherwise, they would be subject to shooting, detention and confiscation of fishing tools. Al-Hissi warned of the repercussions of this measure on the fishing industry in the Gaza Strip, which is the sole source of income for hundreds of fishermen and their families.
It should be noted that IOF have imposed a long term closure on the Gaza Strip since 1991, under which they have deprived Palestinian fishermen their right to fish Gaza’s waters. They also decreased the permissible fishing area in the Gaza Strip’s seawater from 20 nautical miles, as agreed under the Palestinian-Israeli Oslo Accords,[1] to 6 nautical miles in 2008, and to 3 nautical miles in 2009. During the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in the period 27 December 2008 – 18 January 2009, IOF imposed a total closure on the Gaza Strip, completely preventing Palestinian fishermen from fishing. Following the offensive, IOF imposed a partial closure on the Gaza Strip preventing Palestinian fishermen from fishing beyond a distance of 3 nautical miles.
In light of the above:
1. PCHR condemns placing such large floats 3 miles from the Gaza Strip’s seashore, banning Palestinian fishermen from fishing beyond them.
2. PCHR calls upon the international community to exert pressure on IOF to open the fishing area up to 20 nautical miles.
3. PCHR condemns attacks by IOF against Palestinian fishermen, and believed that such attacks are part of the collective punishment measures against the Palestinian civilian population, including denying them of their means of subsistence, which is prohibited under the international humanitarian law and human rights law.
[1] Under the Oslo Accords, the Gaza Strip’s seashore, which is 42 kilometers long, was divided into area known as K, M and L. Area K extends up to 20 nautical miles in North Gaza and expands by 1.5 nautical mile in the south; Area M extends up to 20 miles in the south of Gaza City and expands by one nautical mile near the border with Egypt; and Area L extends up to 20 nautical miles from the beach
Thursday, 15 December 2011 12:50
Ref: 142/2011
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the placing of large floats by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) 3 miles from the Gaza Strip seashore, beyond which Palestinian fishermen are banned from sailing. This measure serves to institutionalize the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, and enhances IOF’s control over the Gaza Strip’s regional water. PCHR warns that this measure will lead to more attacks by IOF against Palestinian fishermen, depriving them of their means of subsistence, under the pretest of sailing beyond the sea floats.
PCHR has obtained affidavits from a number of Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip, in which they expressed concerns that such Israeli measures would tighten the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and restrict their work by limiting the permissible fishing area to only 3 nautical miles.
According to Mr. Mohammed Subhi al-Hissi, Head of the Union of Fishermen in Gaza City, the Israeli naval forces started to place large floats to serve as border signs, above which are lights and devices believed to be photographing and monitoring devices, at a distance of 3 nautical miles from the Gaza Strip seashore. The Israeli naval forces warned Palestinian fishermen through leaflets not to sail beyond such border signs, otherwise, they would be subject to shooting, detention and confiscation of fishing tools. Al-Hissi warned of the repercussions of this measure on the fishing industry in the Gaza Strip, which is the sole source of income for hundreds of fishermen and their families.
It should be noted that IOF have imposed a long term closure on the Gaza Strip since 1991, under which they have deprived Palestinian fishermen their right to fish Gaza’s waters. They also decreased the permissible fishing area in the Gaza Strip’s seawater from 20 nautical miles, as agreed under the Palestinian-Israeli Oslo Accords,[1] to 6 nautical miles in 2008, and to 3 nautical miles in 2009. During the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in the period 27 December 2008 – 18 January 2009, IOF imposed a total closure on the Gaza Strip, completely preventing Palestinian fishermen from fishing. Following the offensive, IOF imposed a partial closure on the Gaza Strip preventing Palestinian fishermen from fishing beyond a distance of 3 nautical miles.
In light of the above:
1. PCHR condemns placing such large floats 3 miles from the Gaza Strip’s seashore, banning Palestinian fishermen from fishing beyond them.
2. PCHR calls upon the international community to exert pressure on IOF to open the fishing area up to 20 nautical miles.
3. PCHR condemns attacks by IOF against Palestinian fishermen, and believed that such attacks are part of the collective punishment measures against the Palestinian civilian population, including denying them of their means of subsistence, which is prohibited under the international humanitarian law and human rights law.
[1] Under the Oslo Accords, the Gaza Strip’s seashore, which is 42 kilometers long, was divided into area known as K, M and L. Area K extends up to 20 nautical miles in North Gaza and expands by 1.5 nautical mile in the south; Area M extends up to 20 miles in the south of Gaza City and expands by one nautical mile near the border with Egypt; and Area L extends up to 20 nautical miles from the beach
Monday, December 5, 2011
IOF Demarcate Gaza Marine Borders with Illuminated Buoys
5-12-2011
At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 5 December 2011, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) put illuminated buoys in the Gaza Sea.
According to the Fisherman's Syndicate, the IOF put the buoys along the Gaza Sea every four kilometers, about three nautical miles away from the Gaza’s coast. The signs form a line demarcating a no-go zone for Palestinian fishermen.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Virtual Field Visit: Israel's Enforcement of the Buffer Zone in the Gaza Strip
This video combines Al-Haq's visual documentation with satellite imagery to create virtual tours of the human rights violations commited in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Each tour is designed to recreate the experience of making a field visit, providing everyone with the opportunity to see the on-the-ground reality of the occupation.
This tour shows how Israeli occupying forces often use live ammunition to enforce the buffer zone in the Gaza Strip, both on land and at sea. Since the beginning of 2010, stone-collectors have been increasingly under attack by Israeli soldiers. In 2009, Al-Haq documented seven cases of rubble collectors injured by live ammunition in the vicinity of the buffer zone, whereas this number was 10 times higher during 2010, when 68 rubble collectors, of whom 15 children, were shot. Fishermen are also targeted on a daily basis with many incidents occurring outside the buffer zone. In some cases, the Israeli occupying forces fire rockets and shoot bullets at the Palestinian boats at sea or on the shore in order to destroy them, thus preventing the fishermen from working.
- View an interactive version of this Virtual Field Visit.
http://alhaq.mits.ps/index.php/virtual-field-visits/buffer-zone
- Read Al-Haq's legal analysis of the Israel Enforcement of the Buffer Zone
http://www.alhaq.org/etemplate.php?id=598
Friday, August 20, 2010
UN Report: Israeli restrictions on farming and fishing violate human rights
Thursday August 19, 2010 19:37 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News
A United nations report released today found that Israeli forces in Gaza have severely restricted access to farmland and fishing zones along the Gaza Coast. The report found that these restrictions have steadily increased over the last ten years, beginning long before the siege imposed in 2007.
Over 150,000 Palestinians have been directly affected by these restrictions, which prevent them from maintaining their basic livelihood.
In addition, the report found that Israeli troops routinely fire live rounds at anyone who enters the restricted zones. Israeli soldiers have killed 22 Palestinians, and wounded another 146, in the 1.5 years since the massive Israeli invasion of January 2009.
According to the UN-OCHA Report, these shootings violate international law, especially considering that no notice was given to the local Palestinian population prior to the implementation and enforcement of the new restrictions. In many cases, the only notice the Palestinians had was being shot at or shot while going to farm on their land.
In total, the 'restricted areas' now constitute 17% of the land area of the Gaza Strip, and 85% of the internationally-allowed fishing zones off the coast. This land and water takeover has taken place during a time when Israel has claimed to have lessened its control over the Gaza Strip, because they moved 5,000 Israeli settlers out of Gaza in 2005.
In reality, however, according to the UN-OCHA, the data shows that Israel now controls a large area of the Gaza Strip with so-called 'security zones', which have further devastated an economy already reeling from the effects of Israel's closure of all borders to imports, exports, entry and exit.
In addition, the report found that Israeli troops routinely fire live rounds at anyone who enters the restricted zones. Israeli soldiers have killed 22 Palestinians, and wounded another 146, in the 1.5 years since the massive Israeli invasion of January 2009.
According to the UN-OCHA Report, these shootings violate international law, especially considering that no notice was given to the local Palestinian population prior to the implementation and enforcement of the new restrictions. In many cases, the only notice the Palestinians had was being shot at or shot while going to farm on their land.
In total, the 'restricted areas' now constitute 17% of the land area of the Gaza Strip, and 85% of the internationally-allowed fishing zones off the coast. This land and water takeover has taken place during a time when Israel has claimed to have lessened its control over the Gaza Strip, because they moved 5,000 Israeli settlers out of Gaza in 2005.
In reality, however, according to the UN-OCHA, the data shows that Israel now controls a large area of the Gaza Strip with so-called 'security zones', which have further devastated an economy already reeling from the effects of Israel's closure of all borders to imports, exports, entry and exit.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Video: Gaza's only fisherwoman
AlJazeera.net
July 21, 2010
In Gaza, traditional industries like fishing are dominated by men but one 16-year-old girl is changing that. She has taken charge of her father's fishing boat and the family's livelihood after he suffered an injury to his leg. Al Jazeera's Nicole Johnston reports.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Gaza fishermen want change to siege
Gaza – Ma’an – Gaza's Fishers Union met Sunday at its headquarters in an effort to jointly articulate specific concerns and problems faced by fishermen, and propose solutions.
Union leader Saed Zyadeh said the meeting would be a venue to air concerns, and added that the union would do its best to raise those issues with local officials and international actors, if possible.
Zyadeh said he expected that the overwhelming issue would be the continual attacks by Israeli forces against fishing boats that venture outside the unilaterally-imposed three-mile fishing limit.
Fishermen have said it is next to impossible to take in a large catch within the Israeli-imposed limit, so many venture into deeper waters hoping for a larger haul. The risk has often cost fishermen their lives, or at least their boats, which are confiscated by Israeli naval officers and not often returned.
When Zyadeh collects the complaints and concerns of his union members, he said he intends to take them to human rights organizations and demand more protection for workers.
In 1995, the Oslo Accords mandated a 20-nautical mile limit to Gaza waters, more than enough space for the thousands of fishers who make their living off Gaza's coast. In 2002 and in the wake of violence during the Second Intifada, the Bertini sought to assuage Israeli concerns about weapons smuggling and reduced the sea-area under Gaza control to 12 nautical miles, just enough for fishers to maintain their livelihoods.
In 2006, Israel unilaterally decided to reduce the fishing limit to 6 nautical miles, during its war with Lebanon and following the capture of an Israeli soldier by Gaza resistance factions.
A second unilateral decision saw the fishing area reduced to three nautical miles during Israel's war on Gaza in December-January 2008-9.
Union leader Saed Zyadeh said the meeting would be a venue to air concerns, and added that the union would do its best to raise those issues with local officials and international actors, if possible.
Zyadeh said he expected that the overwhelming issue would be the continual attacks by Israeli forces against fishing boats that venture outside the unilaterally-imposed three-mile fishing limit.
Fishermen have said it is next to impossible to take in a large catch within the Israeli-imposed limit, so many venture into deeper waters hoping for a larger haul. The risk has often cost fishermen their lives, or at least their boats, which are confiscated by Israeli naval officers and not often returned.
When Zyadeh collects the complaints and concerns of his union members, he said he intends to take them to human rights organizations and demand more protection for workers.
In 1995, the Oslo Accords mandated a 20-nautical mile limit to Gaza waters, more than enough space for the thousands of fishers who make their living off Gaza's coast. In 2002 and in the wake of violence during the Second Intifada, the Bertini sought to assuage Israeli concerns about weapons smuggling and reduced the sea-area under Gaza control to 12 nautical miles, just enough for fishers to maintain their livelihoods.
In 2006, Israel unilaterally decided to reduce the fishing limit to 6 nautical miles, during its war with Lebanon and following the capture of an Israeli soldier by Gaza resistance factions.
A second unilateral decision saw the fishing area reduced to three nautical miles during Israel's war on Gaza in December-January 2008-9.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Gaza fishermen under fire
 Photo: Suhair Karam/IRIN  |
| Sami al-Qouqa (right) lost his left hand when his fishing boat came under fire from an Israeli gunboat on 12 March 2007. He sits with his fishermen friends in Gaza port |
“I was on my small fishing boat in Palestinian fishing waters when two Israeli warships approached me. The Israeli navy shouted at me: ‘Go back or we’ll kill you!’ Initially, I refused, so they began shooting at me. One of the gunboat’s shells hit me and seriously wounded my left forearm and hand,” al-Quoqa told IRIN.
He was taken to al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City where doctors amputated his hand. He has since been unemployed and depends on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) for food aid for his wife and two sons.
Gaza fishermen say ever-tightening restrictions on where they can fish, frequent attacks by Israeli gunboats and an economic blockade in place since 2007 are putting more and more of them out of business.
“Now, Israelis shoot all the time and without reason. The Israeli navy keeps confiscating fishing equipment and ripping up fishermen’s nets. We want a solution but we don’t know how or what or when. How long can this go on?” Muhamed Subuh al-Hissi, a member of the Palestinian fishermen’s trade union in Gaza, told IRIN.
 Photo: Suhair Karam/IRIN  |
| Gazan fishermen take high risks for a meagre reward |
Under the Oslo Accords, a peace agreement between the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Israel signed in 1993, fishermen in Gaza were legally allowed to venture out 20 nautical miles. However, since the start of the second `intifada’ in 2000, the Israeli navy imposed a three-mile fishing limit, and has enforced it rigourously since last year’s war, saying it was necessary to stop weapons being smuggled into Gaza.
Israeli view
“The Israeli marines shoot at Palestinian boats which are suspected of smuggling arms into Gaza, posing a threat to the security of Israel," Avikhay Adrii, an Israeli army spokesman, told IRIN. “Some groups use Palestinian fishing boats for terror purposes and the Israeli navy must protect Israel’s shores.”
In early February Israeli Navy Commander Maj-Gen Eliezer Marom told reporters that Palestinian “terror organizations” were “making cynical use of Gaza’s fishermen for terror purposes” after the discovery on an Israeli beach of a third explosive device disguised as a barrel. He said any collaboration with the Palestinian militant groups who claimed responsibility for the launching of the barrels would harm fishermen’s livelihoods.
“Regular security ships guard the area, and allow Gaza’s fishermen to fish peacefully. I call on them not to cooperate with terror organizations and not to allow them to use these fishing boats for these purposes,” he said.
According to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), from 20 January to 2 December 2009, there were 36 Israeli naval attacks on Gaza fishermen while enforcing their buffer zone.
Local witnesses said the latest incident was on 22 February, when Israeli gunboats fired on fishermen off the coast of Gaza, forcing them to return to shore. An Israeli military spokeswoman denied the shooting occurred.
 Photo: Suhair Karam/IRIN |
| A Palestinian fisherman unloads fish from boats at the port in Gaza City. Fishermen say they are catching fewer and fewer fish because of Israel's ever-tightening restrictions |
According to Gaza-based Palestinian think-tank PAL-Think,10 years ago there used to be about 6,000 fishermen in Gaza catching 3,000 tons of fish a year; now there are around 3,600 making such small catches that some have turned to opening fish farms on land.
The Israeli blockade also prevents the export of fish out of Gaza, further hitting the livelihoods of fishermen.
“As a result of the Israeli-imposed restrictions on the Gaza Strip, Palestinian fishermen cannot reach many points and cannot catch many fish… All the boats fish in the same areas, and there are no fish as a result in Gaza,” Hamas agriculture minister Mohamed Ramadan Agha told IRIN.
He called on international organizations to take serious action to protect the livelihoods of Palestinian fishermen.
Meanwhile, former fisherman al-Qouqa is despondent: “I’m really living a miserable life because fishing is impossible with only one hand. I come to the port just to see and talk with my fishermen friends. I can’t stay at home all the time.”
sk/ed/cb
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Fishing Under Fire REPORT 2009
Since the declaration of the "ceasefire"(18/1/2009), till the end of the year:
- 1 fisherman have been assassinated by the Israeli Navy
- at least 7 fishermen have been injured by gunfire (and at least another one sustained burns after shelling) in the sea, while another fisherman was reported by several media to be lightly injured by Israeli gunfire, but his name wasn't reported.
- at least 6 Palestinian civilians were injured on shore by Israeli navy (among them 4 children) and several others have been reportedly injured (among them another 5 fishermen have been reportedly injured on shore by Israeli shelling )
- 68 abductions of fishermen have been reported (at least 2 fishermen abducted twice) and 29 "confiscations" of fishing boats. Several fishing boats have been returned but with damages and equipment missing, and at least one hassaka (small fishing boat) was stolen again.
- 1 Greek boat of the Free Gaza Movement ("Spirit of Humanity", official name "Arion") was seized and confiscated and all the 21 passengers and crew abducted and later deported.
- Israel claims to have further reduced the fishing zone to 3 nautical miles, but in fact is attacking Palestinian fishermen and other civilians even on shore
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Fishing in the Gaza cesspool
Gaza fishermen are allowed a mere two miles out at sea to earn their livelihood. Karl Schembri joins them out at sea as Israeli gunboats looming on the horizon fire warning shots
Karl Schembri
Wed Sep 24, 2009
GAZA CITY, Gaza (Ramattan) - The reeking stench overwhelms you immediately on the sandy Gaza beach, polluted by thousands of litres of untreated sewage dumped into the sea every day since the sewage treatment facilities were destroyed in the January war.
The port greets us with fishing boats completely destroyed in the war and others abandoned on the shore in front of the ruins of boat houses shelled during the Israeli bombings.
A dozen fishermen are on the beach repairing some of their boats with the little material they have. Bullet holes dot most of the sea craft lying on the golden sand.
We board a boat in the port of Gaza with former fishermen who have given up the job they had been doing all their life. The reasons why became clear even before they started telling their stories.
On the horizon, Israeli gunboats could be seen waiting ominously for any craft that dared approach the two to three-nautical mile limit allowed to Palestinians to fish and sail. Approaching that limit, indeed just setting sail, is a risky venture.
“We have turned this fishing boat into a tourist boat, even though there are no tourists. But we always have hope,” Mohammed said as we were leaving port.
Mohammed and his colleagues could no longer make a living out of fishing within the permitted zone. Fish worth catching lie in deeper seas, but Palestinian fishermen have seen their fishing zone diminishing from the 12 nautical miles agreed to in the Oslo Accords to six miles after the 2000 intifada, and now to a measly three nautical miles, although Israelis often shoot at whoever goes beyond two miles.
“There is no radio communication between Israelis and Palestinians on the sea; the communication is by shooting,” Mohammed said. “The fishermen are always on their own out here, away from the media and the public, and whenever there is trouble with Israel they are the first ones to bear the brunt.”
His colleague, Said Saidi, a refugee forced out of the harbour town of Jaffa in 1948, had been fishing for 40 years before he had to give up his livelihood and passion.
“My family has always consisted of fishermen who know and love the sea, but it is now impossible,” he said. “There are no fish to be caught in here.”
As we sailed further out we could see the Israeli ports of Ashkelon and Ashdod up north. We suddenly hear warning shots being fired at a fishing boat heading towards the forbidden lines.
Equally prohibited is the Egyptian side to the south, where Israeli gunboats too lie waiting for any approaching vessel making it impossible for anyone to enter or leave the 25-mile-long coastal strip through the sea. A ship carrying activists from Cyprus intent to break the siege earlier this year was held up by Israeli forces, with all the people on board arrested and eventually deported.
The crippling restrictions on sea faring are yet another facet of the Israeli siege on Gaza; home to 1.5 million Palestinians denied entry or exit by land, sea and air. This makes fish – a long-time source of staple food for Gazans – ridiculously expensive given its scarcity in what should otherwise be an abundant resource.
Meanwhile thousands of litres of sewage keep being pumped into the Mediterranean as pipes and other material necessary to repair the treatment facilities remain banned from entering the strip.
Close to our boat, fishermen on board a battered long line fishing trawler wave at us smiling upon seeing us, making the victory sign with their hands.
But the view of the Gaza skyline from out there was desolate with the bombarded buildings overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Gazan fishermen continue stuggle for livelihoods
Ma'an
Gazan fishermen have a three nautical mile area from the Strip's shore in which to cast their nets. The area was reduced from six miles down to three following Israel's war on Gaza in December and January, and Israeli naval ships continue to patrol Gaza waters, firing on fishermen and their crafts as well as empty shorelines and busy beaches.
Dozens of fishermen have been ordered to leave their boats and board Israeli war vessels, with boats being confiscated and often not returned to the men for weeks or months.
Fishing sites are often contaminated with waste run-off from broken water treatment facilities in the Strip, many damaged during the war on the area, which remain damaged and leaking as repair materials and equipment have been barred from the area.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Israeli warships bombard Gaza fishing boat
Published yesterday (updated) 01/09/2009 12:36
Gaza – Ma'an – Israeli warships bombarded Palestinian boats off the Sudaniyya shore north of Gaza City on Monday morning, according to Nizar Ayyash, head of the Fishermen's Union. The official said the boat, which belonged to Umar Ibrahim Al-Habeil, was set ablaze by several shells fired from an Israeli naval unit operating in the area. Al-Habeil was reportedly injured in the attack. In a statement, Gaza's Agriculture Ministry said fishermen were unable to put out a fire that burned large sections of the boat. It called on Israel to stop targeting fishers, as the industry is their only source of income. Approached by Ma'an, an Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed that the boat was damaged by naval fire. However she said the navy also helped put out the blaze. She said no one was injured or arrested.The spokeswoman added that a number of vessels, including the damaged ship, violated a northern boundary patrolled by Israel's navy. She said the navy first fired warning shots into the air when the boat refused to turn back, but targeted the ship when it did not. The attack on Monday was not thought to be related to the ongoing siege of the coastal strip since the northern boundary, while entirely inside Gazan territorial waters, was determined by a joint agreement. But Israel's navy has regularly targeted Palestinian fishermen who venture off the coast ever since the military unilaterally declared waters more than three kilometers from the shore a no-fishing zone in January 2009. Last Thursday, medical officials said a fisherman was killed and another injured in a similar shelling attack off the Gaza coast. Israel's military denied that its navy had anything to do with that incident.
Gaza fishing boat bombed by Israeli navy
Monday August 31, 2009 17:01 by IMEMC & Agencies
The Israeli navy attacked Palestinian fishing boats off the shores of northern Gaza on Monday morning. One boat caught fire after it was bombed by several Israeli shells.
Israeli navy firing shells - Reprinted from Palestine Chronicle
The Israeli army confirmed the attack, as well as the damage to the fishing boat, saying the boat went beyond the northern boundary of the Strip. The Israeli navy regularly attacks Palestinian boats that are fishing off the Gaza shores.
In January 2009 Israel imposed tight regulations on the Palestinian fishing sector declaring waters more than 3 kilometers off the shore a no-fishing zone. Ever since Israel imposed its blockade on the Gaza Strip in June 2007, fishing has been one of the few remaining sources of income.
Gaza Fishermen under Israeli fire again
Monday, 31 August 2009 22:21 Added by PT Editor Ayman Quader
Gaza, August 31, 2009 (Pal Telegraph)-Medical officials reported today that Israeli naval forces shelled a fishing boat north of the Gaza strip, near Al Sudania district, this malicious attack completely destroyed a Palestinian boat and in the process injured its owner. The Palestinian Agriculture Ministry in Gaza, stated that fisherman Omar Al-Habil and his boat was less than one kilometre off the Sudania beach north of Gaza city when the Israeli navy ships targeted him.
Additionally the ministry stated that other Gaza fishing boats tried in vain to direct the fire away from the already stricken boat.
After being prevented from adequately equipping their boats due to the now 3 year old siege of Gaza, the fishermen are suffering from a some-what disturbing change of tactics by the Israeli regime and as a consequence they are now suffering the final indignity of being prevented from both gaining their livelihoods & feeding their families.
Gaza – Ma'an – Israeli warships bombarded Palestinian boats off the Sudaniyya shore north of Gaza City on Monday morning, according to Nizar Ayyash, head of the Fishermen's Union. The official said the boat, which belonged to Umar Ibrahim Al-Habeil, was set ablaze by several shells fired from an Israeli naval unit operating in the area. Al-Habeil was reportedly injured in the attack. In a statement, Gaza's Agriculture Ministry said fishermen were unable to put out a fire that burned large sections of the boat. It called on Israel to stop targeting fishers, as the industry is their only source of income. Approached by Ma'an, an Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed that the boat was damaged by naval fire. However she said the navy also helped put out the blaze. She said no one was injured or arrested.The spokeswoman added that a number of vessels, including the damaged ship, violated a northern boundary patrolled by Israel's navy. She said the navy first fired warning shots into the air when the boat refused to turn back, but targeted the ship when it did not. The attack on Monday was not thought to be related to the ongoing siege of the coastal strip since the northern boundary, while entirely inside Gazan territorial waters, was determined by a joint agreement. But Israel's navy has regularly targeted Palestinian fishermen who venture off the coast ever since the military unilaterally declared waters more than three kilometers from the shore a no-fishing zone in January 2009. Last Thursday, medical officials said a fisherman was killed and another injured in a similar shelling attack off the Gaza coast. Israel's military denied that its navy had anything to do with that incident.
Gaza fishing boat bombed by Israeli navy
Monday August 31, 2009 17:01 by IMEMC & Agencies
The Israeli navy attacked Palestinian fishing boats off the shores of northern Gaza on Monday morning. One boat caught fire after it was bombed by several Israeli shells.
Israeli navy firing shells - Reprinted from Palestine Chronicle
The Israeli army confirmed the attack, as well as the damage to the fishing boat, saying the boat went beyond the northern boundary of the Strip. The Israeli navy regularly attacks Palestinian boats that are fishing off the Gaza shores.
In January 2009 Israel imposed tight regulations on the Palestinian fishing sector declaring waters more than 3 kilometers off the shore a no-fishing zone. Ever since Israel imposed its blockade on the Gaza Strip in June 2007, fishing has been one of the few remaining sources of income.
Gaza Fishermen under Israeli fire again
Monday, 31 August 2009 22:21 Added by PT Editor Ayman Quader
Gaza, August 31, 2009 (Pal Telegraph)-Medical officials reported today that Israeli naval forces shelled a fishing boat north of the Gaza strip, near Al Sudania district, this malicious attack completely destroyed a Palestinian boat and in the process injured its owner. The Palestinian Agriculture Ministry in Gaza, stated that fisherman Omar Al-Habil and his boat was less than one kilometre off the Sudania beach north of Gaza city when the Israeli navy ships targeted him.
Additionally the ministry stated that other Gaza fishing boats tried in vain to direct the fire away from the already stricken boat.
After being prevented from adequately equipping their boats due to the now 3 year old siege of Gaza, the fishermen are suffering from a some-what disturbing change of tactics by the Israeli regime and as a consequence they are now suffering the final indignity of being prevented from both gaining their livelihoods & feeding their families.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
PCHR report 13/8 - 19/8/2009: Israeli Navy opens fire at fishermen, one child at Rafah beach seriously wounded in the head. 2 fishermen arrested
This is an excerpt from PCHR weekly report No. 33/2009 13 - 19 August 2009 published on 20/8/2009
Friday, 14 August 2009
At approximately 18:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Rafah beach. As a result, a Palestinian child, 12-year-old Mohammed Bassam 'Aashour, who was at the beach, was seriously wounded by a gunshot to the head.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
At approximately 06:00, two Israeli gunboats approached to within 500 meters of Rafah beach and arrested two Palestinian fishers: Mohammed Mahmoud Hassouna, 45; and his son Shihab, 18. They also confiscated the fishing boat. The two fishers were released at approximately 19:00.
Friday, 14 August 2009
At approximately 18:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Rafah beach. As a result, a Palestinian child, 12-year-old Mohammed Bassam 'Aashour, who was at the beach, was seriously wounded by a gunshot to the head.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
At approximately 06:00, two Israeli gunboats approached to within 500 meters of Rafah beach and arrested two Palestinian fishers: Mohammed Mahmoud Hassouna, 45; and his son Shihab, 18. They also confiscated the fishing boat. The two fishers were released at approximately 19:00.
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