Israeli forces open fire at Palestinian fishing boats

June 12, 2015 6:08 A.M. (Updated: June 13, 2015 9:53 A.M.)

 

A Palestinian policeman inspects a burned boat on a beach in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah on Jan. 3, 2015. (AFP)

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of the northern Gaza Strip on Friday, forcing fishermen to flee the area in fear for their lives, a local union said.The union also reported that Israeli forces confiscated eight fishing nets late Thursday. The report comes as several Palestinian fishermen have been detained this month, and three have been shot dead by Israeli forces since September.Risk of death or detention by Israeli forces is compounded by ongoing harassment and interference with their work from Israeli naval forces who frequently confiscate boats and fishing materials, according to documentation by the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights.An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment on Friday's incident.In a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas last summer, Israel agreed to expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles from shore and to continue to expand the area gradually, however fishermen are routinely stopped within the zone.Near-daily confrontation with Israeli naval forces come as many Gazan residents are food insecure, and over 90 percent of Palestinians working in the fishing industry live below the poverty line in Gaza, the Secretary-general of the Union of Fishermen told Ma'an.

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

PCHR

Tuesday, 24 December 2013 00:00

Date: 127/2013 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Israeli Attacks on Fishermen in the Gaza Sea

PCHR

Tuesday, 10 December 2013 00:00

Factsheet

Israeli Naval forces continued to carry out attacks on Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip during the reporting period[1] (01-30 November 2013), including 12 shooting incidents resulting in the injury of 1 fisherman and causing damage to fishing equipment, and 3 chasing incidents that led to the arrest of 6 fishermen and confiscation of 3 fishing boats and other equipment.

 

The issuance of this factsheet coincides with the aggravation of Palestinian fishermen’s suffering in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing Israeli naval blockade and preventing fishermen from fishing freely as well as the severe lack of fuel supplies needed to run the fishing boats and equipment.  According to PCHR’s follow-up, hundreds of Palestinian boats have broken down and more than 4000 fishermen have suffered due to being denied access to the fuel needed for their work.  This has led to serious deterioration in living conditions of a population of more than 75,000 that depends on the fishing sector as a main livelihood.[2]

Although Israeli authorities limited the fishing distance in Gaza Sea to 6 nautical miles, they neither complied with that distance nor allowed Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip to sail and fish freely, and continued their attacks against them.  PCHR documented all attacks carried out within the distance of 6 nautical miles, which proves that Israeli forces' policies aim to tighten restrictions on the Gaza Strip's fishermen and their sources of livelihood.

Violations of the International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law

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

First: Firing at Fishing Boats in the Gaza Strip Waters

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 12 cases in which Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza Strip shore. Seven attacks of which took place off Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip; 3 attacks took place off the Rafah shore in the south of the Gaza Strip; one was off the Gaza City shore in the south of the Gaza Strip; and the last one was off Khan Younis shore, south of the Gaza Strip.  It is noted that all these incidents happened within the 6 nautical miles allowed for fishermen to sail and fish in, according to the cease fire agreement concluded between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian and international auspices. 

Second: Wounding a Fisherman

On 10 November 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing 3 nautical miles off the shore. As a result, Mahmoud Saleh Abu Wardah (18) sutained shrapnel injuries to the right side of his abdomen.  Two Israeli gunboats surrounded a fishing canoe boarded by two fishermen; Saddam Saleh Abu Wardah (23) and his brother, Mahmoud (18).  Israeli Naval Forces forced the two fishermen to get on one of the gunboats and arrested them.  They then pulled their fishing canoe and confiscated it.

Third: Arrest of Fishermen:

PCHR documented incidents in which Israeli Naval forces arrested and chased 6 fishermen, including 2 children, in 3 separate incidents while they were sailing within 1-3 nautical miles off Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip and Rafah shore in south of the Gaza Strip.

- On 10 November 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed of al-Wahah Resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire against Palestinian fishing boats sailing 3 nautical miles of the shore.  As a result, Mahmoud Saleh Abu Wardah (18) sutained shrapnel injuries to the right side of his abdomen.  Two Israeli gunboats surrounded a fishing canoe boarded by two fishermen; Saddam Saleh Abu Wardah (23) and his brother, Mahmoud (18).  Israeli Naval Forces forced the two fishermen to get on one of the gunboats, arrested them and confiscated their boat.  The two fishermen were subject to investigation and were accused of exceeding the limit allowed for fishing.  In the late evening of the same day, they were released.

- On 17 November 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing 1.5 nautical miles off the shore.  An Israeli gunboat surrounded a fishing canoe boarded by ‘Ammar As’ad al-Sultan (21) and Mohsin Akram Zayed (24), both from al-Salatin neighborhood in Beit Lahia.  Israeli naval forces forced the two fishermen to jump into the water and swim towards the gunboat.  They were arrested and taken to Ashdod Seaport, where they were subject to investigation.  At approximately 03:00, they were released via Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing.

- On 27 November 2013, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing 1 nautical mile off Rafah port in the west of Rafah City in the southern Gaza Strip.  Israeli gunboats surrounded a Palestinian fishing canoe boarded by two fishermen and opened fire at it.  The two fishermen were arrested and their canoe was confiscated as well as other fishing equipment, of which a 500-meter fishing net.  The arrested fishermen were identified as Ahmed Khalil Hasounah (16) and Mahmoud Mohammed Hassounah (17), both from the Swedish Village, southwest of Rafah.

Fourth: Confiscation of Fishing Equipment

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 3 chasing incidents in the Gaza Waters resulting in the confiscation of 3 fishing boats and other fishing equipment (fishing nets). The confiscation incidents were as follows:

- On 10 November 2013, Israeli naval forces confiscated a fishing canoe while sailing at approximately 3 nautical miles off al-Waha Resort shore, west of Beit Lahiah in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli naval forces also confiscated fishing nets belonging to Hatim Saleh Abu Wardah.

On 17 November 2013, Israeli naval forces confiscated a fishing canoe while sailing at approximately 1.5 nautical miles off al-Waha Resort shore, west of Beit Lahiah in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli naval forces also confiscated ten 1000-meter fishing nets belonging to ‘Ammar As’ad al-Sultan.

On 27 November 2013, Israeli naval forces confiscated a fishing canoe sailing at approximately 1 nautical mile off the Rafah port in the west of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Fifth: Damaging Fishing Equipment

 

- On 09 November 2013, Israeli naval forces stationed off the Beit Lahiah shore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian gunboats sailing at approximately 5 nautical miles.  As a result, fishing nets belonging to Hatim Saleh Abu Wardah (40), Mohammed Amin Abu Wardah (21), Fadel Saleh Abu Wardah (32) and Subhi Mohammed Sa’adallah (62) were damaged.

            

   Table of Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City in November 2013

Month	Firing	Killed Persons	Injuries	Arrest Incidents
November 2013	12	0	1	3

Number of Detainees	Confiscation of Fishing Boats	Confiscation of Fishing Equipment	Damaging Fishing Equipment
6	3	2	1

---

[1] This fact sheet issued by PCHR is the twenty-first of its kind.  It addresses violations carried out by the Israeli forces against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip while practicing their work.  For more details, see Fact Sheets at: www.pchrgaza.org.

[2] Over the past years, the people of the Gaza Strip have almost-completely depended on fuel smuggled from Egypt through border tunnels.  Since mid-June 2013, supplies of Egyptian fuel stopped resulting in damages that made economic activities stop in many sectors, including the naval fishing blockade. 

Israeli forces attack, detain Gaza fishermen near Beit Lahiya

Published yesterday (updated) 10/11/2013 22:50

(MaanImages/file)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces on Sunday detained two Palestinian fishermen off the coast of northern Gaza after firing upon them, a union official said.

The head of Gaza's fisherman's union said in a statement Sunday that Israeli forces detained Sadam and Mahmoud Saleh Abu Ward west of Beit Lahiya.

Israeli gunboats reportedly fired at the two fisherman late Saturday, causing them to lose their fishing nets.

They were detained while searching for their nets the following day, the statement said.

A spokeswoman for the Israeli army said that "soldiers identified a Palestinian naval vessel which crossed designated lines," and called out for the vessels to stop. When they did not stop, "warning shots were fired towards the vessels."

Under the terms of the current restrictions, Gaza fishermen are not allowed to enter waters more than six nautical miles from the shore, with naval patrol boats known to fire on those who step out of line.

The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006. The blockade was imposed following the victory of Hamas in the 2006 Palestinian elections and the subsequent 2007 clashes between Fatah and Hamas, which left Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of the West Bank.

The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans. These have been particularly severe given frequently Israeli military assaults, particularly in 2008-9 and 2011, which killed around 1,400 and 170 Gazans respectively and led to major infrastructural damage.

Israeli Attacks on Fishermen in the Gaza Sea

Monday, 19 August 2013 00:00

 Fact sheet

 

Israeli Naval forces continued to carry out attacks on Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip during the reporting period [1](01-30 July 2013), including shooting incidents, detention and confiscation of fishing tools.

 

The issuance of this factsheet coincides with the aggravation of Palestinian fishermen’s suffering in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing Israeli naval blockade and preventing fishermen from fishing freely as well as the severe lack of fuel supplies needed to run the fishing boats and equipment.  According to PCHR’s follow-up, hundreds of Palestinian boats have broken down and more than 4000 fishermen have suffered due to being denied access to the fuel needed for their work.  This has led to serious deterioration in living conditions of a population of more than 75,000 that depends on the fishing sector as a main livelihood.[2]

Although Israeli authorities limited the fishing distance in Gaza Sea to 6 nautical miles, they neither complied with that distance nor allowed Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip to sail and fish freely, and continued their attacks against them.  PCHR documented all attacks carried out within the distance of 6 nautical miles, which proves that Israeli forces' policies aim to tighten restrictions on the Gaza Strip's fishermen and their sources of livelihood.

Violations of the International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law

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

  First: Firing at Fishing Boats in the Gaza Strip Waters

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 3 cases in which Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza Strip shore. These attacks took place within the 6 nautical miles allowed for fishermen to sail and fish in, according to the cease fire agreement concluded between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian and international auspices.

Second: Keeping Fishing Tools in Custody 

At approximately 21:00 on 03 July 2013, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats within 5.5 nautical miles off the Deir al-Balah and Nusairat shore in the central Gaza Strip.  Israeli forces chased the fishermen, opened water hoses at their boats, forced them to stop working and then confiscated 7 pieces of fishing nets belonging to Mohammed Issa Ibrahim Abu Jayyab, from Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, in custody.

Third: Confiscation of Fishing Tools

  

At approximately 05:00 on 03 July 2013, an Israeli gunboat opened fire at a group of fishing boats while sailing at approximately 5 nautical miles off the Gaza shore.  As a result, a fishing boat broke down as the shooting made 14 holes in its body.  A number of fishing nets belonging to Saleh Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Ryalah (43), from Shati’ refugee camp in Gaza, were lost.

At approximately 06:15 on 17 July 2013, an Israeli gunboat opened fire at a group of fishermen while sailing approximately 4 nautical miles off Beit Lahiah shore in the northern Gaza Strip.  As a result, a fishing boat broke down, and a fishing net belonging to Rajab Khaled Rajab Abu Ryalah (26), from al-Shati’ refugee camp in Gaza, was confiscated.

Thus, the number of the Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of 2013 has risen to 77 attacks, including 66 shooting incidents which resulted in the injury of 5 fishermen, in addition to 4 chase operations in which 11 fishermen were arrested, and 5 boats and 10 fishing tools were confiscated.

Table of Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City during June 2013

Month	Firing	Killed Persons	Injuries	Arrest Incidents	Number of Detainees	Confiscation of Fishing Boats	Confiscation of Fishing Equipment	Total
July 2013	3	0	0	0	0	0	1 (fishing net)	2 (fishing boat and 2 fishing nets)

---

[1] This is the seventeenth factsheet from the series of “Factsheets”, which is issued by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and talks about the attacks launched by the Israeli Naval Forces against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip when they fish.  For further information, see Reports Factsheets at the PCHR website: www.pchrgaza.orh

[2] Over the past years, the people of the Gaza Strip have almost-completely depended on fuel smuggled from Egypt through border tunnels.  Since mid-June 2013, supplies of Egyptian fuel stopped resulting in damages that made economic activities stop in many sectors, including the naval fishing blockade. 

Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza Sea (PCHR fact sheet, June 2013)

PCHR

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

 Fact Sheet

 

Israeli Attacks on Fishermen in the Gaza Sea

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) documented 29 attacks launched by the Israeli forces against Palestinian fishermen during the reporting period (01 March – 31 May 2013),[1] including 29 shooting incidents in which a fisherman was wounded; and 2 chase operations in which 2 fishermen were arrested and their boats and other fishing tools were confiscated.

Israeli forces continued to target Gazan fishermen and banning them from fishing past 3 nautical miles.  Israeli forces violated the cease-fire agreement reached between Palestinian armed groups and the Israeli forces, under Egyptian and international auspices on 22 November 2012, in which the allowed fishing area was set to 6 nautical miles; however, they limited it to 3 nautical miles in the period 21 March – 20 May 2013.  The 6-nautical-mile limit has reinforced since 21 May 2013.

According to PCHR's follow-ups, 85% of the Israeli attacks took place within the allowed fishing area, which proves that Israeli forces' policies aim to tighten restrictions on the Gaza Strip's fishermen and their means of making livelihood.

Violations of the International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law

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

First: Firing at Fishing Boats in the Gaza Strip Waters

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 29 cases in which Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza shore.  As a result, a fisherman was wounded in one of the shootings while fishing off the Rafah shore.  These attacks took place within the 6 nautical miles allowed for fishermen to sail and fish in, according to the cease fire agreement concluded between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian and international auspices.

1 Fisherman Wounded with Israeli Naval Troops' Fires

· On 01 May 2013, at approximately 05:00, Israeli forces opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat off the Rafah shore in the south of the Gaza Strip.  As a result, the boat's mast fell on Adel Abdelkarim Baker's (51) head, a fisherman from Gaza City.  Baker suffered from a hemorrhage in the head and was taken to Abu-Youssef al-Najar hospital in Rafah for treatment, but as he was in a serious condition, he was later transferred to the European Gaza Hospital.

Second: Arresting Fishermen

During the reporting period, PCHR documented incidents in which the Israeli forces chased and arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen while fishing at an estimated 70 meters off the shore of al-Waha resort, in the north of Gaza city.

· At approximately 21:30 on 19 May 2013, an Israeli gunboat cordoned a Palestinian fishing boat boarding two fishermen while sailing at approximately 70 meters off the shore of al-Waha resort.  The Israeli troops fired in the vicinity of the boat, forced them to take their clothes off, jump into the water and swim towards the gunboats.  They were arrested and their fishing boat was confiscated. They were released at 11:30 on Monday, 20 May 2013.  The fishermen were identified as: Mahmoud Mohammed Mohammed Zayed (25) and his brother, Khaled (20).

Third: Confiscation of Fishing Boats and Fishing Nets

PCHR has followed up and documented Israel’s violations against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip sea, particularly the confiscation of fishing boats and fishing equipment for lengthy periods of time.  During the reporting period, the Israeli forces confiscated 1 fishing boat and other fishing tools (18 pieces of fishing nets).

· At approximately 21:30 on 19 May 2013, an Israeli gunboat cordoned a Palestinian fishing boat while sailing at approximately 70 meters off the shore of al-Waha resort, north of Gaza City.  The Israeli troops fired in the vicinity of the boat, arrested the two fishermen who were on board, and confiscated their boat.

· At approximately 19:00 on 19 May 2013, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a group of fishing boat while sailing at approximately 3 nautical miles off the Deir al-Balah shore in the central Gaza Strip in order to terrify the fishermen and force them to stop working. The Israeli naval soldiers then started confiscating fishing equipment, which belong to 4 fishermen.  They confiscated items were 18 pieces of fishing nets.

Table of Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City within the Past 3 Months

(March, April and May 2013)

Month	Firing	Killed Persons	Injuries	Arrest Incidents	Number of Detainees	Confiscation of Fishing Boats	Confiscation of Fishing Equipment	Total
March 2013	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	9
April 2013	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	8
May 2013	12	0	1	1	2	1	1	15

Diagram of Israeli Violations against Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City within the Past 3 Months (March – April – May 2013)

---

[1] This fact sheet issued by PCHR is the fifteenth of its kind.  It addresses violations carried out by the Israeli forces against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip while practicing their work.  For more details, see Fact Sheets at: www.pchrgaza.org.