Israeli forces shoot, injure child of fisherman in Gaza

Sept. 3, 2015 10:24 P.M. (Updated: Sept. 4, 2015 7:22 P.M.) 

 

Palestinian fishermen collect their catch off the coast of Gaza City on July 6, 2014. (AFP/Mahmud Hams, File)

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian child near the shores of the Beit Lahiya village in the northern Gaza Strip, medics said.Medics told Ma'an that Bilal Abu Amro, 11, was shot in the thigh while he was with his father, a fisherman.He was taken to Kamal Adwan hospital for treatment. An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma'an they were unaware of the incident.Palestinian fishermen making a living off of the shores of the besieged Gaza Strip face daily risks, including routine harassment from Israeli naval forces, confiscation of boats and materials, detention, and potentially death.At least three Palestinian fishermen have been shot dead by Israeli forces since September.Israeli forces often allege that fishermen deviate from the designated fishing zone and pose a security threat.The exact limits of the zone set by Israeli authorities are often ambiguous, and authorities have not abided by the fishing zone agreed upon in last summer's ceasefire agreement, rights groups say.The attacks come despite Israeli promises at the end of last summer's ceasefire to ease restrictions on Palestinian access to both the sea and the border region near the "security buffer zone."On July 31, Mohammad Hamid al-Masri,17, was shot by Israeli forces and died instantly north of Beit Lahiya near the border fence.

PCHR Condemns Israeli Attack on Oliva Boat at Gaza Seashore

 PCHR

Thursday, 29 December 2011 00:00

Ref: 146/2011

  

On Wednesday, 29 December 2011, the Israeli navy attacked the Oliva Boat, which monitors the situation at Gaza seashore, and Palestinian fishing boats who were fishing in the sea. 

According to Mr. Mahfouz al-Kabariti, Chairman of the Palestinian Association for Fishing and Marine Sports, at 11:00 on Wednesday, 28 December 2011, an Israeli gunboat got close to Palestinian fishing boats and the Oliva Boat, while they were approximately two nautical miles off the seashore, as the Israeli navy allow Palestinian fishing within a distance of 3 nautical miles from the seashore.  Al-Kabariti stated that the Oliva was monitoring Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen at the Gaza seashore.  An Israeli gunboat got close to it and attacked 6 times.  The Israeli naval troops ordered two Italian solidarity activists and the captain who were on board of the boat to sail back, claiming that the boat sailed beyond the 3-nautical mile distance, while the boat’s GPS measured the distance at two nautical miles only.  The captain was providing the boat with fuel when the Israeli navy attacked the boat.  The Israeli navy used water hoses against the boat, which almost made it capsize.  An Italian solidarity activist, Rosa Schiano, who was on board of Oliva, stated that she called in vain to the Israeli naval troops to stop attempting to turn the boat over.  As a result of the attack, Oliva’s captain, Mushtaq Zaidan, from Gaza City, fell and injured his leg.  Palestinian fishermen in the area were able to help him, and to pull the Oliva back to the shore. 

It is worth noting that Oliva started its work on 20 April 2011 under the umbrella of the Spanish Civil Peace Service. It carried out the first monitoring mission in the Gaza Strip on 8 June 2011.  The project is aimed at monitoring and documenting Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen while fishing, which constitute a violation of international law and amount to possible war crimes.  PCHR, the Palestinian Association for Fishing and Marine Sports, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, and the Coordination Committee of Popular Resistance participate in the project, which is sponsored by dozens of local and international organizations. The monitoring team includes international solidarity activists from Italy, Sweden, USA and the UK.   

PCHR condemns the continuous attacks by the Israeli Navy against Palestinian fishing boats, and the attack against the Oliva, which monitors the human rights situation in Gaza’s seawaters. PCHR calls upon the international community:

1. To intervene to stop Israeli violations of international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, including measures aimed at preventing the work of Palestinian fishermen;

2. To act to stop the Israeli Navy’s attacks against the Oliva boat, which carries out a peaceful civil mission and aims– with entirely legal tools – to ensure the Palestinian fishermen the possibility of working in safe conditions;

3. To force Israel to immediately lift the illegal closure imposed on the Gaza Strip, including the naval blockade restricting fishing to 3 nautical miles from the seashore, and to allow Palestinian fishermen to work freely.

Israeli navy attacks international observers, injures Palestinian, on monitoring boat in Gaza waters

CPSGaza

28 December 2011  

 For Immediate Release

At 10:55 am, an Israeli naval warship attacked the international observers and Palestinian captain of the Civil Peace Service Gaza (CPSGAZA) boat Oliva, injuring its captain in an apparent attempt to capsize it.

The two international observers, both Italian citizens, are available for media questions or interviews.

"The Israeli navy passed near us and the fishermen, and started to go around us, creating waves," said Rosa Schiano, one of the international observers. "The fishermen escaped, but we couldn't because of a problem with our engine. We couldn't move, and they went around us very quickly. The Israelis saw that we couldn't move, and that the captain was trying to fix the engine, but they didn't stop. We told them, 'Please stop! Please stop!' But they didn't."

When the warship was two meters away from the Oliva, one of the waves it had created nearly capsized the small boat, filling it with water and causing the Palestinian captain to fall out, injuring his left leg.

"Their intentions were to do something very bad," said international observer Daniela Riva. "Coming so close to us was very dangerous, and they obviously knew that."

After more than twenty minutes, the warship retreated, and the Oliva was rescued by a small Palestinian fishing boat, or hasaka, which threw it a line and towed it toward the shore.

Photos are available for free use with attribution to Rosa Schiano, Civil Peace Service Gaza (CPSGAZA): http://bit.ly/CPSGAZAphotos. Additional photos and video will be available upon request: email press@cpsgaza.org.

The incident followed similar attacks on the Oliva during previous missions. Video footage is available: http://bit.ly/CPSGAZAvideos. 





Background

Restrictions on the fishing zone are of considerable significance to Palestinian livelihood. Initially 20 nautical miles, it is presently often enforced between 1.5 - 2 nautical miles (PCHR: 2010). The marine 'buffer zone' restricts Gazan fishermen from accessing 85% of Gaza's fishing waters agreed to by Oslo.

During the Oslo Accords, specifically under the Gaza-Jericho Agreement of 1994, representatives of Palestine agreed to 20 nautical miles for fishing access. In 2002 the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan empowered Catherine Bertini to negotiate with Israel on key issues regarding the humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and a 12 nautical mile fishing limit was agreed upon. In June 2006, following the capture of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit near the crossing of Kerem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom), the navy imposed a complete sea blockade for several months. When the complete blockade was finally lifted, Palestinian fishermen found that a 6 nautical mile limit was being enforced. When Hamas gained political control of the Gaza Strip, the limit was reduced to 3 nautical miles. During the massive assault on the Strip in 2008-2009, a complete blockade was again declared. After Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli army began imposing a 1.5 - 2 nautical miles (PCHR: 2010).

The fishing community is often similarly targeted as the farmers in the 'buffer zone' and the fishing limit is enforced with comparable aggression, with boats shot at or rammed as near as 2nm to the Gazan coast by Israeli gunboats.

The fishermen have been devastated, directly affecting an estimated 65,000 people and reducing the catch by 90%. The coastal areas are now grossly over-fished and 2/3 of fishermen have left the industry since 2000 (PCHR: 2009). Recent statistics of the General Union of Fishing Workers indicate that the direct losses since the second Intifada in September 2000 were estimated at a million dollars and the indirect losses were estimated at 13.25 million dollars during the same period. The 2009 fishing catch amounted to a total of 1,525 metric tones, only 53 percent of the amount during 2008 (2,845 metric tones) and 41 percent of the amount in 1999 (3,650 metric tones), when the fishermen of Gaza could still fish up to ten nautical miles from the coast. Current figures indicate that during 2010 the decline in the fishing catch continues. This has caused an absurd arrangement to become standard practice. The fisherman sail out not to fish, but to buy fish off of Egyptian boats and then sell this fish in Gaza. According to the Fishermen's Union, a monthly average of 105 tons of fish has been entering Gaza through the tunnels since the beginning of 2010 (PCHR 2009).

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR). "The Buffer Zone in the Gaza Strip." Oct. 2010.

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. "A report on: Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishers in the Gaza Strip." August 2009.

PCHR weekly report 1/7 - 6/7/2010: 1 boy fisherman injured by israeli navy fire

extracts from PCHR weekly report 1/7 - 6/7/2010

Israeli forces continued to fire at Palestinian farmers and workers in border areas of the Gaza Strip and fishermen at sea. 

- Two children were injured, one of them at sea and the other while collecting raw construction materials. 

 Monday, 05 July 2010

At approximately 10:30, Israeli gunboats positioned at sea near the Gaza port, west of Gaza city, fired at Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing approximately two miles off Gaza shore. 'Allam Naser Fadel Bakr, 14, from al-Shati refugee camp, was wounded as a result by two bullets in the abdomen. The boat, which belongs to Mahmoud Abu Hweidi, was struck by two bullets to its hull. On board was Mr. Bakr, his father Naser, 49, and his brother Yaser, 18.

Mr. Bakr and his father were transported by another boat to the shore. Mr. Bakr was then transported to al-Shifa Hospital for medical treatment, where his wounds were described as moderate.

Yaser Bakr, 'Allam's brother, told the PCHR fieldworker that he boarded a fishing boat with his father and his brother 'Allam at approximately 06:00. They sailed from the Gaza port and were anchored approximately two miles off the shore. They threw the net into the water at approximately 06:30. At approximately 10:30, they were surprised by firing coming from an Israeli gunboat which was approximately a half of a mile to the north. They sustained fire from the Israeli ship for approximately ten minutes. 'Allam was wounded by two bullets in the abdomen as a result and the boat was struck by two bullets in its hull Another Palestinian fishing boat transported 'Allam and his father to shore while Yaser remained on the boat. The motor of the boat was broken and Yaser remained on the boat until another Palestinian fishing boat came and pulled it to the shore.

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

This report is based on reports by ISM Gaza Strip activists, reports by human rights organizations (such as PCHR and Al Mezan) and reports by media.

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.

Israeli warships wound a Palestinian south of Gaza

Please wait ... Gaza, June 6, 2009 (Ramattan) – A Palestinian citizen was wounded on Saturday as Israeli gunboats opened heavy fire at the southern coast of Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical sources said. Sources added that the 25-year-old Iyad Abd Rabo was moderately injured after the Israeli navy shot at Gaza shore near the city of Rafah south of Gaza. After the Israel's 22-day offensive on Gaza 4 months ago, the Israeli navy frequently opens fire at Gaza shore, targeting Gazan fishermen and their boats. ---------------------------------------------- From PCHR weekly report No. 23/2009 04 - 10 June 2009 Saturday, 06 June 2009 At approximately 05:00, IOF gunboats opened fire at fishing boats opposite Rafah beach in the southern Gaza Strip. As a result, Eyad Khaled 'Abdul Nabi, 22, from Jabalya, was wounded by a bullet that hit his right arm and abdomen. His wound was described by medical sources as moderate to serious. 'Abdul Nabli was in the area for recreation.

PCHR: Mother & cild wounded on shore after Israeli gunboats open fire at Palestinian fishing boats

This is an extract from PCHR weekly report No. 10/2009 05- 11 March 2009

Saturday, 07 March

At approximately 18:00, IOF gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in Rafah. As a result, a woman her child, who live in the Swedish village at the coast in Rafah, were wounded:

1. Reem 'Omar Hassouna, 25;

2. Nivine Yasser Hassouna, 3.

It’s a ceasefire…just not on the beach, not in your home

Eva Bartlett | In Gaza
January 24, 2009, 7:52 am

On the 5^th morning after Israel declared a ‘ceasefire’, Israeli gunboats began shelling, as they had on several mornings since halting the 22 day air and land bombardment of Gaza. The shelling, which began just after 7:30 am off Gaza city’s coast, injured at least 6, including one boy with shrapnel in his head.

Yasser Abed, 15, came out from his home in Gaza’s Beach camp, on the coast, to see where the shelling was occurring. A shard of shrapnel lodged in his forehead.

Nisreen al Quqa, 11, was out earlier, before the navy began to fire towards Palestinian fishermen. She and her brother were walking on the beach when the firing started. A piece of shrapnel lodged in her right calf muscle.

Other injuries included a 14 year old male who was hit in the thigh by one of the shrapnel fragments, a 35 year old male also with a shrapnel injury, and a 4 year old girl with a head wound from flying shrapnel.

To the east of Gaza city, in the Sheyjaiee district close to the eastern border, also on the same day, 7 year old Ahmed Hassanian was outside his house with friends around 9:45 am. He lies now in critical condition in Shifa hospital’s ICU, a bullet still lodged in his brain and with such brain hemorrhaging and damage that he is expected to die shortly.

Mu’awiyah Hassanain, the director of Ambulance and Emergency Services, reports shelling in the northwestern coastal area of As Sudaniya on the same morning, saying five fishermen were injured in the attacks.

Israeli warplanes, on the first day of the ceasefire, flew extremely low and loudly over areas of Gaza, leaving residents expecting the worst. Drones capable of photographing and of dropping lethal, targeted missiles, continued to circle in Gaza’s skies for the first 3 days after the tanks retreated and the air-bombing ceased. At 8:30 am, one of these drones dropped 2 missiles in the Amal area east of Beit Hanoun, wounding a woman and an 11 year old child, who later died of her injuries.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) reports further violations of the cease-fire.

At 10:40, Israeli troops killed Maher abu Rjaila, 23, shooting him in the chest as he walked on his land east of Khan Younis city.
Two days later, at 1:00pm, Israeli soldiers fired on residents of Al Qarara, near Khan Younis, shooting Waleed al-Astal, 42, in his right foot.

Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed at least 1, 330, with as many as 200 more bodies expected to be recovered from under the rubble of the over 5,000 destroyed houses and 20,000 buildings.

Dr. Fawzi Nablusi, director of Shifa’s ICU, said that of the cases in Shifa’s ICU, 90% were civilian, of these 50% were women and children. One of those civilians injured the day before Israel’s ceasefire was Mohammed Jarboua. Also from the Beach camp, the 21 year old is clinically brain dead, surviving only on mechanical life-support, after being shot in the head by Israeli naval forces.

The Director of Shifa hospital, Dr. Hassan Khalaf, and Mu’awiyah Hassanain confirmed that since the ceasefire began on January 18, three more Palestinians have been killed, and 15 more injured, 10 of those injured on January 22^nd.

These ceasefire violations are not a new precedent, as during the 6 month ceasefire which began on June 19^th, Israeli forces routinely targeted and fired upon fishermen and farmers along Gaza’s eastern and northern borders, injuring 62, according to Palestinian sources. During this period, 22 Palestinians were also killed, many of them members of resistance groups, and 38 fishermen and farmers were abducted. The truce period saw border crossings mainly closed, completely sealed them from November 4, 2008 with only the briefest of openings.

As the dust settles and noxious chemical fires continue to smolder, Gazans focus on their immediate needs: housing, food, and in many cases locating lost family members still under the rubble.

The root of the problem continues: the nearly 2 year old siege on Gaza, not relaxed under the 6 month ceasefire as agreed, and which had already decimated Gaza’s health and sanitation infrastructures, and had shattered the economy. From the ruins of Gaza, any signs of an end to the siege are far beyond the broken horizon.

Israel’s navy shells Gaza, injuring seven

Date: 22 / 01 / 2009 Time: 09:57

[Ma'anImages]

Gaza – Ma’an – Israel’s navy shelled the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning, injuring seven Palestinians, including five fishermen.

Mu’awiyah Hassanain, the director of Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Palestinian Health Ministry told Ma’an that Israeli gunboats shelled the As-Sudaniya area northwest of Gaza City.

He said the wounded people were taken to Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

Hassanain added that rescue teams are still working to recover the corpses, many of them now decomposing, of those killed in Israel’s three-week war on Gaza.

Separately, two Palestinians died in Egyptian hospitals where they were treated for wounds from Israel’s three-week offensive.

Medical officials identified them as: Tamer Omar Al-Louh, 22, from Gaza city and Azzam Mu’awad Ash-Shafe’y, 24, from Rafah.

The death toll from the war is now 1,330, with more than 5,000 injured.