Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Israely Navy seizes boat, kidnaps human rights activists that have worked in solidarity with the Palestinian fishermen

The Israeli Navy took over the boat Spirit of Humanity, and kidnapped 21 human rights activists, among them activists that have worked a lot in solidarity with the Palestinian fishermen.

The report of the
Free Gaza Movement

30 June 2009

For Immediate Release:

[23 miles off the coast of Gaza, 15:30pm] – Today Israeli Occupation Forces attacked and boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Noble laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (see below for a complete list of passengers). The passengers and crew are being forcibly dragged toward Israel.

“This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip,” said Cynthia McKinney, a former U.S. Congresswoman and presidential candidate. “President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that’s exactly what we tried to do. We’re asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey.”

According to an International Committee of the Red Cross report released yesterday, the Palestinians living in Gaza are “trapped in despair.” Thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed earlier during Israel’s December/January massacre are still without shelter despite pledges of almost $4.5 billion in aid, because Israel refuses to allow cement and other building material into the Gaza Strip. The report also notes that hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of their patients due to Israel’s disruption of medical supplies.

“The aid we were carrying is a symbol of hope for the people of Gaza, hope that the sea route would open for them, and they would be able to transport their own materials to begin to reconstruct the schools, hospitals and thousands of homes destroyed during the onslaught of “Cast Lead”. Our mission is a gesture to the people of Gaza that we stand by them and that they are not alone” said fellow passenger Mairead Maguire, winner of a Noble Peace Prize for her work in Northern Ireland.

Just before being kidnapped by Israel, Huwaida Arraf, Free Gaza Movement chairperson and delegation co-coordinator on this voyage, stated that: “No one could possibly believe that our small boat constitutes any sort of threat to Israel. We carry medical and reconstruction supplies, and children’s toys. Our passengers include a Nobel peace prize laureate and a former U.S. congressperson. Our boat was searched and received a security clearance by Cypriot Port Authorities before we departed, and at no time did we ever approach Israeli waters.”

Arraf continued, “Israel’s deliberate and premeditated attack on our unarmed boat is a clear violation of international law and we demand our immediate and unconditional release.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO!

CONTACT the Israeli Ministry of Justice
tel: +972 2646 6666 or +972 2646 6340
fax: +972 2646 6357

CONTACT the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
tel: +972 2530 3111
fax: +972 2530 3367

CONTACT Mark Regev in the Prime Minister’s office at:
tel: +972 5 0620 3264 or +972 2670 5354
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kidnapped Passengers from the Spirit of Humanity include:

Khalad Abdelkader, Bahrain
Khalad is an engineer representing the Islamic Charitable Association of Bahrain.

Othman Abufalah, Jordan
Othman is a world-renowned journalist with al-Jazeera TV.

Khaled Al-Shenoo, Bahrain
Khaled is a lecturer with the University of Bahrain.

Mansour Al-Abi, Yemen
Mansour is a cameraman with Al-Jazeera TV.

Fatima Al-Attawi, Bahrain
Fatima is a relief worker and community activist from Bahrain.

Juhaina Alqaed, Bahrain
Juhaina is a journalist & human rights activist.

Huwaida Arraf, US
Huwaida is the Chair of the Free Gaza Movement and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.

Ishmahil Blagrove, UK
Ishmahil is a Jamaican-born journalist, documentary film maker and founder of the Rice & Peas film production company. His documentaries focus on international struggles for social justice.

Kaltham Ghloom, Bahrain
Kaltham is a community activist.

Derek Graham, Ireland
Derek Graham is an electrician, Free Gaza organizer, and first mate aboard the Spirit of Humanity.

Alex Harrison, UK
Alex is a solidarity worker from Britain. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.

Denis Healey, UK
Denis is Captain of the Spirit of Humanity. This will be his fifth voyage to Gaza.

Fathi Jaouadi, UK
Fathi is a British journalist, Free Gaza organizer, and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.

Mairead Maguire, Ireland
Mairead is a Nobel laureate and renowned peace activist.

Lubna Masarwa, Palestine/Israel
Lubna is a Palestinian human rights activist and Free Gaza organizer.

Theresa McDermott, Scotland
Theresa is a solidarity worker from Scotland. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.

Cynthia McKinney, US
Cynthia McKinney is an outspoken advocate for human rights and social justice issues, as well as a former U.S. congressperson and presidential candidate.

Adnan Mormesh, UK
Adnan is a solidarity worker from Britain. He is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.

Adam Qvist, Denmark
Adam is a solidarity worker from Denmark. He is traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.

Adam Shapiro, US
Adam is an American documentary film maker and human rights activist.

Kathy Sheetz, US
Kathy is a nurse and film maker, traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Israeli navy shoots at Gazan fishermen, no injuries


Gaza, June 26, 2009 (Ramattan) - Israeli warships shot at Palestinian fishermen in the northern coast of the Gaza Strip on Friday, Palestinian security sources said.

Sources reported that the Israeli navy opened heavy fire against a number of Gazan fishermen and their boats near Al-Sudaniya neighborhood north of Gaza, no injuries or damages were reported.

The Israeli navy prevents Gazan fishermen to sail more than 3 miles into Gaza regional water, what makes it difficult to find the good fish.

Israeli gunboats frequently open heavy fire at Palestinian fishermen along the coast of Gaza.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The International Palestinian Campaign Demands the Widest International Solidarity with the Palestinian Fishermen

Tuesday June 23, 2009
The International Palestinian Campaign to Break the Siege on Gaza, along with a network of other civil associations, stressed the importance of united efforts at such times for the widest Arab and international solidarity possible. This is in order to pressure the Israeli occupation forces to stop their constant aggressions against the Palestinian fishermen in the Strip, and for the latter to fish in Gaza seas securely and freely.
This call was initiated by a member of the committee and the coordinator of the solidarity campaign with the fishermen in the Gaza Strip, Mahfouz el Kabarity. El Kabarity's call was expressed in a meeting in Rimani today [June 23, 2009] between Arab and Italian fishermen in solidarity with fishermen in the Strip that occurred via phone from Gaza. Many fishermen associations and syndicates attended the event where photos and video footage were displayed and which show the siege and occupation's affect on the fishermen and the limited distance they are forced not to trespass.
Kabarity offered a full explanation about the influences of the siege and blockade in addition to the disallowing of appropriate and necessary fishing equipment to enter the Strip. This, Kabarity said, would obstruct and negatively affect the fishing industry in specific, and on the Palestinian industry in general. More so, Kabarity spoke about what the Palestinian fishermen are subject to and the violations of their natural right to fish in their own waters which is mentioned in international treaties and agreements.
Furthermore, Kabarity expressed his admiration for the international solidarity workers, and to Vittorio the Italian and internationals who accompanied the fishermen and who were subject to abduction and arrest by the occupation forces' naval gunboats. They were deported to their homeland and insisted on coming back in to break the siege and live with the Palestinian people and share their strife.
Kabarity called upon the international community to reveal the unjust reality that the fishermen are subject to. He called upon the world to stand by the Palestinians and break the siege, along with opening of the crossings, and for the Palestinian to live freely in dignity.
On their behalf, the Arab and Italian fishermen expressed their unquestionable solidarity with the fishermen in Gaza, condemning the acts and violations of the occupation forces. They expressed admiration for the endurance and resistance of fishermen in confronting such a reality, and spoke of the necessity of lifting the siege, and relieving the Palestinians from their suffering as a result. In addition, they called for the protection of the fishermen while working at sea.
It is important to note that this is but one activity in a series of activities to be launched by the international solidarity workers in coordination with the International Palestinian Campaign to Break the Siege, in cooperation with the Palestinian fishermen unions, associations and syndicates.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Israeli navy seizes fishermen, boats off Gaza shore

Date: 22 / 06 / 2009 Time: 14:10

[Ma'anImages]
Gaza – Ma’an – The Israeli navy seized four Gazan fishermen on Monday morning after stopping their boats off the Gaza City coast. They were taken to Israel’s Ashdod port, north of the Gaza Strip.

Head of the Palestinian fishermen’s union Nizar Ayyash told Ma’an that Israeli warships obstructed two fishing boats, taking four fishermen, all members of the As-Sultan family, while they were sailing in the As-Sudaniyya area. He said Israeli navy officers beat the fishermen and also confiscated their boats.

Ayyash identified the detained fishermen as Uday As-Sultan, Saddam As-Sultan, Hasan As-Sultan, and Muhammad As-Sultan.

The Israeli navy prohibits Gazan fishermen from sailing more than three miles from the coast. If fishermen attempt to sail farther, they are pursued, shot at, detained, and often asked to become informers for Israeli intelligence. Under the Oslo peace agreements, Israel is obligated to allow Palestinians to fish as far as 20 nautical miles from Gaza.

Israeli Navy kidnaps four fishermen

Tuesday June 23, 2009 01:34 by IMEMC News
The Israeli Navy kidnapped on Monday four Palestinians fishermen, including two brothers, as they were fishing in Palestinian territorial waters in Gaza.

Israeli Navy firing shells - Reprinted from Palestine Chronicle
Israeli Navy firing shells - Reprinted from Palestine Chronicle

The four were kidnapped when an Israeli Navy gunship attacked their fishing ship. The four were identified as Saddam Abdul-Bari, his Brother Odai, in addition to Hasan Ramadan and Mohammad Al Noury Sultan.

The four were forced into a navy ship and were taken to the Ashdod port.

The attack is among ongoing attacks carried out by the Israeli Navy against Palestinian fishermen as Israel is preventing them from fishing in Palestinian territorial water.

The attacks include shelling fishing boats, chasing the fishermen and kidnapping them.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

50+ bullets for a fishing boat

This video shows a Palestinian fishing boat attacked by the Israeli Navy BEFORE the recent massacres (December 2009, January 2009), that means during the 6 month "CEASEFIRE" (June - December 2008). Finally we counted more than 50 bulletholes!
During the interview gunboats of the Israeli Navy were continuing to patrol in Palestinian territorial waters, very close to the shore (for sure closer than the 3 miles "limit" that they suppose to impose) and harassing Palestinian fishing boats.


Fishermen abducted and released, three boats and net stolen

Two fishermen, Ashraf Subhi Sadallah and his brother Abdulhadhi Subhi Sadallah were abducted by IDF on Tuesday 16th June 2009 and released on the same day after being interrogated. Their boats (hassakas) and net remain in IDF custody to this day.

At 6 a.m. the brothers set out in three boats (hassakas) in the region known as Sudaniyya in order to collect the net which they had placed the night before. The net was 400 metres away from the shore. As soon as they arrived close to the net IDF gun boats shot in their direction. The brothers were asked to remove all their clothes and to jump in the sea, which they did. Once in the sea they swam for 30 metres towards the patrol boat. The gun boat moved back 470 metres and the brothers then were forced to swim this distance. They were handcuffed and blindfolded and taken to Ashdod where they were interrogated and told that if they visit the Al Waha region again they would be arrested and tried in court in Israel. The brothers, however, state that they were not in the Al Waha region but rather in Sudaniyya. The brothers were released at Erez border on the same day at 8 p.m.

Without boats (hassakas) and net the Sadallah brothers are unable of working and have lost the tools to their only source of income.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

PCHR: 2 more fishermen abducted by the Israeli Navy

from PCHR weekly report No. 24/2009 11 - 17 June 2009 published on 18/6

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

At approximately 06:00, IOF gunboats opened fire at a fishing boat in al-Waha area in the northern Gaza Strip. They then moved towards the boat and arrested two fishers: Hadi Sobhi Sa'dallah, 19; and his brother Ashraf, 26. They took the two fisherso Ashdod Harbor in the south of Israel and interrogated them. The two fishers were released in the evening.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Gaza fishermen petition High Court

Aviad Glickman | YNet News

16 June 2009

Four Palestinians from Gaza petitioned the High Court of Justice Tuesday in an effort to get back their confiscated fishing boat, seized by the IDF last month.

The fishermen claim that their livelihood had been gravely undermined by Israel’s Defense Ministry and demand compensation in addition to the ship’s return.

The Navy operates near Gaza’s shores regularly in a bid to prevent maritime terror attacks and often encounters innocent fishermen, who are promptly warned to sail back to permitted zones. However, the petitioners claim that they were sailing in an approved area during the incident in question.

According to the petition, two IDF vessels approached the ship, fired at it, and ordered the crew to leave. Later, a Navy boat approached the fishing vessel and ordered the fishermen to disembark, the petitioners said. The soldiers are said to have covered the fishermen’s eyes and handcuffed them.

Two Palestinians were eventually questioned by Shin Bet officials following the seizure, before being returned to the Gaza Strip via the Erez crossing. The four ship owners say Israeli officials promised to return the ship and its contents within a week, but have not done so to date.

The petitioners say they approached the Defense Ministry several times but have not received a relevant response. They said that none of them were ever involved in terror activity against Israel.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Maps showing the shrinking Gazan fishing zone

These are maps showing the evolution of the Gazan fishing zone since 1994.

1) The first is according to the Gaza-Jericho agreement (1994), following the Oslo agreements, which allows the Palestinian fishermen to fish up to 20 nautical miles from shore in the L zone, but prohibits them to enter the 1,5 n. mile wide K zone in the north adjacent to the Israeli waters and the 1 n. mile wide M zone in the south, adjacent to the Egyptian waters.



2) The second one made by OCHA shows the situation in July 2005, with the fishing zone restricted to 10 nautical miles, even less than the 12 n. miles of the Bertini agreement (2002), and a special restriction of 8 n. miles and only for 5 and a half hours per day, at the Mawasi area.




3) The third one made by PASSIA shows the situation in 2007 after the Israeli Navy have further restricted the Gazan fishing zone to only 6 n. miles since October 2006.

4) Since the end of the December 2008 - January 2009 massacres, the Israeli occupation has further reduced the limits, "officially" to 3 n. miles but in fact, the Israeli Navy is attacking the fishermen and other Palestinian civilians, including children, even on the shore. For the moment there is no map available showing the "official" limit of 3 n. miles. The sketch given to abducted Palestinian fishermen only shows them the geographical limits of the K zone in the north without specifying how far from the coast they can go.


A report on the situation of the fishermen, their livelihood, and necessary demands to improve their conditions

This report was released on the occasion of the demonstration on the 14th of April 2009 at the port of Gaza

Translation: Natalie Abou Shakra - ISM Gaza Strip

Palestinian International Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza

The fishermen are suffering from the mounting human rights violations that the IOF have them subject to, and particularly in limiting their right to reach fishing areas in the sea. in addition to that, the IOF subject the fishermen to humiliation, insults, shootings, arrest, and destruction of their fishing material and boats whilst at sea.
Since october 2000, the Israeli violations and restriction have been increasing dramatically. The IOF have announced the occupied palestinian territories as closed military zones, and have, as a result, shut the borders and imposed restrictions on the mobility of Palestinians through these borders, and particularly to the areas where Palestinians live that are at a close proximity from the settlements.
These actions have resulted in a deterioration of life and work of the Palestinian fishermen. This was particularly noticeable after the unilateral segregation plan of the IOF as related to the series of Israeli settlements from Deir el Balah and till the southern part of the Rafeh district as well as reaching the shores of the Beit lahya town. The fishermen were restricted in movement to the shores as a direct result from extreme security measures which also prohibited many fishermen from fishing.As such, the IOF began imposing a new reality on the fisherman that not only violated international humanitarian laws, but also violated the dual agreement it had signed previously with the PLO which had received international support and recognition. It is also crucial to note that the Oslo accords had stated, in its section related to fishing, the ability of the fishermen to reach up to 20 miles in Gazan sea waters, and which was labeled Region L. They were, however, restricted from entering Region K, located in the northern part of the Strip, and Region M in the southern part of the Strip. At this point, the Israeli naval gunboats took charge of guarding the regions at sea of which the agreement did not mention; that is, regions M and K. But, since October 2000, the IOF have prevented the fishermen from reaching the allowed areas as stated in the agreement, limiting the fishermen to 12 miles at sea, which got reduced gradually disallowing the fishermen from reaching areas rich in fish variety and quantity. The limit was reduced to 10 miles, to 8 miles, and then to 6 miles. However, today, the fishermen are prevented from reaching a 3 mile distance at sea, and when they do reach the limit, the IOF naval gunboats begin to shoot at and target the fishermen. It is worthy to note here that the IOF would reduce the distance within the same week, and the fishermen would have no clue about this which would jeopardize their lives. In addition to that, over the last eight years, the occupation forces would not allow the fishermen from getting to the sea for months. Also, on the 15th of September 2005 the withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Strip did not leave more freedom to the fishermen in their work, but, rather, more restrictions.
The occupation forces have turned the lives of the Palestinian fishermen into a living hell. First, the fishermen cannot turn to other employment opportunities, because they are already extinct due to Israeli doings which have left tens of thousands of workers incapable of reaching the work place within the green line, and have caused the destruction of industries and trades. and demolished tens of thousands of agricultural land. The IOF have completed their work by completely destroying the Palestinian national industrial sector by an intense siege that has resulted in humanitarian consequences in the last two years. More so, many fishermen have got debts and fees that they are obliged to pay which do not give a chance in finding another kind of work, but place them under those who are in need of it.
The Palestinian fisherman, as a result, faces two options: either to leave his work and face the ghoul of poverty and need, or continue fishing but baring the most severe of circumstances and subject himself to violations and life-threatening situations which might cause him his life. All this is in the shadow of incapability of the international community to provide him and the other Palestinian citizens the protection and safety necessary and the sense that the occupation forces are beyond any law which actually allows them to perpetuate their violations and crimes against the 3500 fishermen and 2000 workers whom are linked with the fishing industry one way or another, knowing that the number of fishing boats is around 700, including 17 big boats, 110 langes, and the rest hasakas.
What needs mentioning again, is that the occupation forces intensifies the restrictions on the fishermen's mobility and reduces the distances allowed for them, and, at many times, forbids them from being at sea particularly in fishing seasons. To note here is the fact that there are no fish farming in the Gaza sea, but that the fishermen depend on the availability occurring in fishing seasons which witnesses the migration of fish from a place to another whilst passing through the Gazan sea water.
Also to note is that the siege and blockade imposed on the Strip by the occupation forces has affected the fishermen's work negatively and especially due to the scarcity of fuel and cooking gas, in addition to fishing equipment and materials.
The Israeli violations' affects on fishermen can be summarized as follows:
1. Imposing a sea blockade forbidding them from merely getting to the sea
2. Reducing the distance that allows them to reach areas where there is a decent quantity and quality of fish , and limits their work to areas that result in catching a quantity of fish not sufficient enough to cover the costs of the fishing trip which leads to fishing being fruitless and non-productive to the fisherman
3. confronting the fishermen at sea and subjecting them to arrest and searching them
4. shooting at the fishing boats to oblige fishermen to sail back to shore knowing that in many cases the fishermen would not have even surpassed the reduced distance imposed
5. attacking the fishing boats and forcing the fishermen to remove their clothes and swim to the israeli naval gunboats, and spraying high pressured sewage liquid from water canons at them in the aim of humiliating them
6. arresting fishermen and dragging their boats to the israel ports, sometimes even leaving the fishermen stranded in the sea with no fuel in their boats to get back ashore, not mentioning the humiliation of interrogation, and the harsh and inhumane treatment they are subject to
The Mezan centre for human rights has documented 265 kinds of attacks on the fishermen whilst fishing since 1999, causing the death of 2 fishermen, injuring 15 others, and arresting 225.
More so, the IOF have targeted fishing boats varying in size, destroying many of them, or have kept and not returned tens of them. All this without mentioning the restriction on the movement of fishermen in their boats, particularly the larger boats, the scarcity of fuel, inavailability of machine parts, needing new nets, cooking gas for light on the boat at night of which destroy the fishing activities.
Losses counted by sources from the general administration for the location of fish population density show that each day's loss reaches around 41,000 dollars. In addition to this, other losses of around 25,000 dollars daily are a direct result of fishermen unable to sell the good quality fish, that are higher in prices than other kinds, to areas beyond the green line, or to the West Bank, which obliges the fishermen to store the fish in freezers that declines the original price and value, when sold whilst still fresh. It is important to mention that the blockade and siege, in addition to restricting the movement of fishermen, culminate in 3000 families not being able to receive their daily needs. Those familes are entirely dependent on the fishing industry and fish trade.
Israeli policies and doings have also resulted in huge loses in fishing resources and sea fishing where fishermen have lost days of work as a result of the IOF forbidding them to work in area rich in fish. Also, accoridng to many fishermen sources, the IOF usually blocks access to the sea, and thus fishing, on days where the fishing seasons are at, particularly when there is a migration of fish. This has resulted in the fishing sector losing 16.5 million dollars.
Despite these drastic losses, there are no official, internaitonal or civil party that helped in compensating the fishermen, or provide financial aid to help in supporting them and their endurance in the face of al l this. Also, despite the perpetual mounting violations against the fishermen, there has been no official call for the protection of fishermen against the IOF naval gunboats.
Based on what was mentioned herein, the below signed associations demand the following from international, civil and officical associations:
1. to work on facilitating the movement of fishermen at sea and expand the area allowed for them to fish in. also, to work on the protection and safety of the Palestinian fishermen at sea and facilitating their accessability to areas rich in fish by allowing them to get to distant areas at sea, and guaranteeing them no attack by the IOF naval gunboats. This will neccessitate efforts on all behalfs, primarily pressure grouos and mass mobilization, in an aim for awareness on the reality of fishing and fishermen in the Strip and the crimes made against them.
2. the need for the concerned parties and officials to legislate laws and codes that organize the fishing processes and provide protection for areas rich in natural fishing resources
3. the need to take advantage of internation laws that organize the fishing processes, which will standardize the role of the occupation forces and Egypt in the fishing processes, their role, and the areas allowed to be in
4. the forming of a union of specialists and professionals to organize any procedures or decisions as to the fishing processes
5. to work on the innovation of the Palestinian fishing boats, which includes the reconstruction and fixing of the damaged boats. Also, to work on the operations of the ports, preparing them up-to-date materials serving better a fishing process. In addtion, to launch workshops specializing in the bettering of fishing proccesses, making ice and other neccessary storage materials available.
6. finding an appropriate method of financially supporting the fishermen, in their striving to fish, and supporting their resistance and endurance, and their insistence on continueing fishing, particularly those fishermen whose boats or fishing equipment have been damaged

The Internation Campaign to Break the Siege on Gaza, in collaboration with the following civil society organizations:
1. the "Tawfiq" organization for fishermen
2. the General syndicate for fishermen
3. organization for the fishing and other sports at sea
4. the Mezan centre for human rights
5. PCHR
6. the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC)
7. Agricultural Development Organization PARC
8. Medical Relief Society
9. the Association of Palestinian hydrologists
10. Ma'an- the centre for developmental work

Israeli warships open fire on Gazan fishermen; damage boats

Date: 12 / 06 / 2009 Time: 09:32

[Ma'anImages]
Gaza – Ma’an – Israeli warships damaged several fishing boats when they opened fire on Gazan fishermen off the coast of Khan Younis and the central Strip area Friday morning.

Eyewitnesses said warships concentrated in the two areas and advanced on fishing boats then opened fire.

Head of Emergency and Ambulance Services in the Strip Dr Muawiyah Hassanein confirmed there were no injuries, but noted that fishermen reported damage to their boats.

Israeli navy shoots at Gazan fishermen, no injuries

Gaza, June 12, 2009 (Ramattan) - Israeli warships shot at Palestinian fishermen in the northern coast of the Gaza Strip on Friday, Palestinian security sources said.
Sources reported that the Israeli navy opened heavy fire against a number of Gazan fishermen and their boats near Al-Sudaniya neighborhood north of Gaza, no injuries or damages were reported.

The Israeli navy prevents Gazan fishermen to sail more than 3 miles into Gaza regional water, what makes it difficult to find the good fish.

Yesterday, Israeli gunboats also opened heavy fire at Palestinian fishermen in the coast of Gaza without causing injuries or damages.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

IOF opens Fire at Different areas in Beit Lahia

Al Mezan

10-6-2009

At around 11pm, on 10 June 2009, the IOF, stationed on the northern borderline, opened fire at areas in the north of Beit Lahia, but no injuries were reported. At around 11.30 on the same day, IOF gunboats opened fire sporadically at Beit Lahia beach. The shooting continued till the early morning of the next days, but no injuries were reported.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Israeli warships fire on Gaza fishing boats

Date: 09 / 06 / 2009 Time: 09:23

[Ma'anImages]
Gaza – Ma’an – Israeli gunboats opened fire on Palestinian fishermen in two locations off the coast of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning, causing no injuries.

Eyewitnesses said the fishermen came under heavy fire from Israeli navy vessels in the Mediterranean, off the coast of the Tal Sultan area, in southern Gaza, and As-Sudaniya, in the south. The fishermen were forced to interrupt their work and rush back to shore to avoid what was described as “random” shooting.



***Updated at 11:06am

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Israeli warships wound a Palestinian south of Gaza


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.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Israeli warships open fire at fishing boats off Gaza coast

Date: 05 / 06 / 2009 Time: 11:30

Gaza – Ma’an – Israel's navy fired on boats off the short of Gaza City on Friday morning, but no damage or injuries were immediately reported.

Witnesses said the ships, which contribute to Israel's ongoing blockade of the besieged coastal strip, often open fire on vessels sailing near the coast, preventing a major source of income for Gaza's residents.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Israeli Piracy Continues Unabated - Six More Fishermen Abducted

Thursday 4th June 2009, Gazan territorial waters - At around 9 am, six Palestinian fishermen were abducted by the Israeli Navy whilst fishing in Palestinian territorial waters. The fishermen are reported as being;
Adham Al - Habil 21, Mohammed Al - Habil 20, Ahmed Al - Habil, Maher Abu Sultan 25, Mohammed Al - Arayshi, and Sadam Bakar.
The fishermen embarked from Gaza port at 8 am, in a trawling vessel owned by Abu Adham. At around 9 am when they were 3 miles from shore, and 0.5 km south of the "K" area (a designated no-fishing area in the Oslo Accords), they reported that an Israeli gun boat had approached, fired at them, and demanded that they turn of the boats engine. Communication with the fishermen was then lost.
It is believed that all of the fishermen have been abducted, and that their boat has been seized. Several fishermen that were recently abducted in similar circumstances, but have now been released, had reported that at the time of their abduction, the Israeli Navy threatened that "If we see Abu Adham's boat in the sea again, we'll seize it and arrest all the fishermen."
In the last few months, the Israeli Navy have escalated their campaign of persecution against the Palestinian fishermen. Of particular note is the recent spate of abductions. Since the declaration of a cease-fire in January of this year, and prior to today, 40 abductions of fishermen have been reported, and 17 fishing boats have been seized or stolen. About 10 of these boats have been returned but with damages and equipment missing.
Abu Adham's trawling boat was one of three boats seized by the Israeli Navy in November 2008. 15 of the fishermen aboard along with three members of the International Solidarity Movement were also abducted. Following a court case filed by PCHR, Al Mezan, and the ISM the 3 vessels were returned - although damaged and with equipment missing. On the 7th May 2009, one of these boats (belonging to Abu Rami) was again seized by the Israeli Navy and its crew abducted. Israel is refusing to return this boat. Along with Abu Adham's vessel, it now appears that two of the trawlers stolen by the Israeli Navy in November 2008, are again in Israeli hands.
ISM - Gaza Strip
Abu Adham's boat under attack by an Israeli Warship in September 2008 - Photo by Darlene Wallach

Gaza fishing boats surrounded by Israeli warships

Date: 04 / 06 / 2009 Time: 10:15

[ma'anImages]
Gaza – Ma’an – Israeli warships surrounded two fishing boats off the coast north of Gaza City on Thursday morning.

The boats belong to Omar Al-Habil and Omar Al-Hissi, according to sources in Gaza. No arrests or injuries have been reported.

There have been frequent reports of Israeli gunboats harassing Palestinian fishermen along the Gaza coast in recent weeks. In February Israel imposed a three-mile limit for Gaza fishermen, far short of the 20 miles guaranteed by the Oslo peace agreement.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Israeli warships shoot at Gazan fishermen, no injuries


Gaza, June 3, 2009 (Ramattan) - Israeli warships shot at Palestinian fishermen in the northern coast of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Palestinian security sources said.

Sources reported that the Israeli navy opened heavy fire against a number of Gazan fishermen and their boats near Al-Sudaniya neighborhood north of Gaza, no injuries or damages were reported.

The Israeli navy prevents Gazan fishermen to sail more than 3 miles into Gaza regional water, what makes it difficult to find the good fish.

Earlier, Four Palestinians were injured as the Israeli army fired artillery shells north of the Gaza Strip.
Yesterday, Israeli gunboats also opened heavy fire at Palestinian fishermen in the coast of Gaza without causing injuries or damages.

Health Day for Gazan Fishermen

The Palestinian International Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza, has organized a day of free medical treatment for the Gazan fishermen at the offices of the Tawfiq Cooperative of Fishermen - Gaza Strip. The Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees (UPMRC) provided the doctors, nurses and the medicines.
The situation of Palestinian fishermen is critical because of the siege imposed by Israel and Egypt. According to the Oslo accords the Palestinian fishermen were allowed to fish up to 20 n. miles from the coast, but these limits were gradually reduced by the Israeli Navy to 12, then 6 and now after the recent massacres, to 3 n. miles. In fact the Palestinian fishermen are facing attacks by the Israeli Navy even a few meters from the coast. Since the declaration of the "ceasefire" there has been at least 5 fishermen wounded in the sea, 5 more reportedly injured on the shore, 40 abductions of fishermen, 17 "confiscations" of fishing boats, dozens of fishing boats damaged, fishing equipment stolen, lost during the attacks, or damaged. So practically the Palestinian fishermen are not allowed to practice their profession. In the meantime the price of fuel is getting higher every day, because of the siege. Subsequently the Palestinian fishermen are financially ruined and cannot afford to pay for their health care and have to wait for iniciatives like the one organized by the Palestinian International Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza and the UPMRC.


Video - Report: ISM Gaza Strip

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Israeli navy opens fire at Gazan fishermen, no injuries


Gaza, June 2, 2009 (Ramattan) - Israeli gunboats opened heavy fire at Palestinian fishermen in the northern coast of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Palestinian security sources said.

Sources reported that the Israeli navy targeted a number of Gazan fishermen and their boats near Al-Sudaniya neighborhood north of Gaza, no injuries or damages were reported.

The Israeli warships frequently open fire at the coast of Gaza, targeting the Gazan fishermen and their boats.

The Israeli navy imposes tightened measures on the Palestinian fishermen and prevents them to sail more than 3 miles into Gaza regional water, what makes it difficult to find the good fish.