Tuesday, December 24, 2013

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.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Gaza: “Free the Holy Land sea”

23rd December 2013 | International Solidarity Movement, Rosa Schiano | Gaza, Occupied Palestine

Fisherman and their boats in the Gaza seaport. (Photo by Rosa Schiano)
Fisherman and their boats in the Gaza seaport. (Photo by Rosa Schiano)

“Free the Holy Land sea” was a three-day protest by fishermen in Gaza which began on Tuesday, 17th November. The fishermen, supported by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights and al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, set up a tent at the Gaza seaport in which photographs showing Israeli violations were exhibited, along with banners in solidarity with the fishermen.
In the tent were fishermen, international and Palestinian activists for the rights of fishermen and political prisoners, and representatives of human rights centers. Politicians came to give their greetings and express solidarity with the fishermen.
“Since last year, massive attacks against Palestinian fishermen have become a practice of the Israeli naval forces,” said Khalil Shaheen, director of the economics and social rights unit at the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. “The attack on the fundamental rights of the fishermen, their livelihoods, makes the lives of thousands of fishermen impossible. From September 2009 until the current day, two Palestinian fishermen have been killed, 24 injured, at least 150 arrested, 49 boats seized by the Israeli forces, and at least 120 boats destroyed partially or totally, including during the last military operation, Pillar of Defense, in which harbors were also bombed.”
“Palestinian fishermen are losing 85% of their annual income due to the restrictions in the maritime area and the naval blockade,” Shaheen added. ”I think it’s very important to send a clear message in support of the fishermen. For Christmas and the New Year, Palestinian fishermen ask their friends and brothers in the rest of the world to convince the Israeli occupation to end the illegal blockade in Gaza, and to free the Holy Land sea, to grant them their rights.”

Salim al-Faseh. (Photo by Rosa Schiano)
Salim al-Faseh. (Photo by Rosa Schiano)

Among the fishermen present at the event, Salim al-Faseh, age 57, was wounded by Israeli military fire in September while fishing on a trawler about six miles offshore. The bullets severed the little finger of his right hand and destroyed part of the internal tissue. Salim will have to wait for his surgery in February, when an internal fixator will be removed, to know if he can use his fingers again. “God willing, this event will help the fishermen,” al-Faseh said.
“The fishing sector is the sector that suffers the most in Gaza,” he added. “We suffer from lack of fuel, the limits imposed on the fishing area, the unsuitable materials. Everything is making the profession of fishing die.”
The port was calm under a blue sky. After the raging storm and incessant rain that flooded roads and houses in the Gaza Strip, the sun was shining again. Some fishermen were harvesting small fish from their nets. Others sat under the sun and spoke of their daily problems, especially the economic difficulties faced by Gaza fishermen.
The Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip affects Palestinians’ economic and social conditions. More than 75,000 people depend on the fishing industry as the main source of their livelihood.
Israel has progressively restricted Palestinian fishermen’s access to the sea. The 20 nautical miles established under the Gaza-Jericho Agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1994 were reduced to 12 miles in the Bertini Agreement of 2002. In 2006, the area Israel allowed for fishing was reduced to six nautical miles from the coast. After its “Operation Cast Lead” military offensive (December 2008 – January 2009) Israel imposed a limit of three nautical miles from the coast, preventing Palestinians from accessing 85% of the water to which they are entitled under the Gaza-Jericho Agreement.
Under the ceasefire agreement by Israel and the Palestinian resistance after the Israeli “Operation Pillar of Defense” military offensive (November 2012), Israel agreed that Palestinian fishermen could again sail six nautical miles from the coast. Despite these agreements, the Israeli navy has not stopped its attacks on fishermen, even within this limit. In March 2013, Israel once again imposed a limit of three nautical miles from the coast. On 22 May, Israeli military authorities announced a decision to restore the limit to six nautical miles.
In the month of November alone, PCHR reports 12 attacks. During one, gunfire injured a fisherman. Overall six fishermen were arrested and six boats confiscated. These attacks constitute a violation of the international humanitarian law.
At the end of the event, fishermen, along with human rights organizations, submitted a letter to the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process office in Gaza City.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Israeli gunboats fire on Palestinian fishermen north of Gaza

hermen north of Gaza
Published Sunday 22/12/2013 (updated) 22/12/2013 20:21
 
(MaanImages/file)
 
GAZA (Ma'an) -- Israeli gunboats fired two shells toward Palestinian fishing boats in the Sudaniya area in the northwestern Gaza Strip on Saturday evening, a witness said.

The eyewitness added that no injuries were reported from the shelling.

The Gaza Strip has been under a severe blockade imposed by the State of Israel since 2006.

Palestinian fishermen are only allowed to go 3 nautical miles from Gaza's shore, even though Israeli-Palestinian agreement previously agreed on 20 nautical miles. Israeli naval forces frequently harass Palestinian fishermen who near the 3-mile limit, as well as those inside the zone.

There are 4,000 fishermen in Gaza. According to a 2011 report by the International Committee of the Red Cross 90 percent are poor, an increase of 40 percent from 2008 and a direct result of Israeli limits on the fishing industry.

The Israeli blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

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.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Gaza Strip: Attacks in the border areas and their consequences

 PCHR

Thursday, 12 December 2013 00:00

Following disengagement from the Gaza Strip in September 2005, Israel unilaterally and illegally established a so-called “buffer zone”, an area prohibited to Palestinians along the land and sea borders of the Gaza Strip. The precise area designated by Israel as a “buffer zone” is not clear and this Israeli policy is typically enforced with live fire. The establishment of the ‘buffer zone’ is illegal under both Israeli and international law.

Preventing Palestinians from accessing their lands and fishing areas violates numerous provisions of international human rights law, including the right to work, the right to an adequate standard of living, and the right to the highest attainable standard of health. Enforcing the “buffer zone” through the use of live fire often results in, inter alia, the direct targeting of civilians and/or indiscriminate attacks, both of which constitute war crimes.

Following the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in November 2012, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian armed groups was brokered by the Egyptian government, which included terms related to access to land and sea. In an online statement on 25 February 2013, the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) declared that fishermen could now access the sea up to six nautical miles offshore, and that farmers could now access lands in the border area up to 100m from the border fence. However, both references have since been removed from the statement. Then, on 21 March 2013, the Israeli forces’ spokesperson announced re-reducing the fishing area allowed for Palestinian fishermen from 6 nautical miles to 3 nautical miles.  However, on 21 May 2013, Israeli authorities decided to allow fishermen to sail up to 6 nautical miles.
Dimensions
On land, inside Palestinian territory
Distance from the border fence, up to which access is permitted:
· Second Intifada (2000): 150 metres
· According to Israel (2010) : 300 metres
· 22 November 2012: unclear parameters
· 25 February 2013: 100 metres
· 21 March 2013: 300 metres
In reality, attacks against civilians take place anywhere up to approximately 1.5 kilometres inside the border fence. This constitutes approximately 17% of the total territory of the Gaza Strip.
At sea, off the coast of the Gaza Strip
Distance from the shore, up to which access is permitted:
· Oslo Accords (1994): 20 nautical miles (nm)
· Bertini Commitment (2002): 12 nm
· October 2006: 6 nm
· End of 2007 : 3 nm
· 22 November 2012: 6 nm
· 25 February 2013: unknown
· 12 March 2013: 3 nm
· 21 May 2013: 6 nm
In addition, access is consistently denied in the following areas:
· 1.5 nm in the north along the maritime boundary with Israel
· 1 nm in the south along the maritime boundary with Egypt
Impact
On land
· Approximately 27,000 dunums, 35% of the Gaza Strip's agricultural land, can only be accessed under high personal risk, as Israeli attacks may result in injury or death of civilians.
· 95% of the restricted area is arable land.
· After the evacuation of settlements (2005) and ‘Operation Cast Lead’ (2008-2009), the majority of Palestinian families living in the border areas abandoned their land and homes.
At sea
· Palestinians are completely prevented from accessing 85% of the Palestinian maritime areas recognised in the 1994 Gaza Jericho Agreement.
· Approximately 3,700 fishermen work under high personal risk every day at sea.
· Approximately 8,200 persons work in the fishing industry.
· Approximately 65,000 persons, including individuals who work in the fishing industry and their dependents, are affected by thebuffer zone” restrictions at sea.
· The area near the coast is markedly over-fished.
* These numbers do not represent all the incursions into Palestinian waters by Israeli naval forces, only the reported incidents. More often, the reported incidents involve shooting, injury and/or killing.


Attacks
November 2013
Attacks
Total
Buffer zone” on land
Buffer zone” at sea
Shelling
3
3
0
Shooting
20
8
12
Incursions
3
3
0
Land levelling
0
0
0
Detention incidents
5
2
3
Total incidents
31
16
15






Consequences of attacks

a. Deaths and injuries

November 2013

Consequences
Total
Buffer zone” on land
Buffer zone” at sea
Death of persons
0
0
0
Minors
0
0
0
Women
0
0
0
Injury of persons
6
5
1
Minors
0
0
0
Women
0
0
0

b. Property related violations

November 2013

Consequences
Total
Buffer zone” on land
Buffer zone” at sea
Property damaged
1
0
1
Property confiscated
3
0
3
Dunums razed
0
0
0

c. Detention
November 2013
Consequences
Total
Buffer zone” on land
Buffer zone” at sea
Detention incidents
5
2
3
Total persons detained
10
4
6
Minors detained
5
3
2
Women detained
0
0
0


* Nine of the arrested persons were released
* One of the arrested persons is a patient, who was supposed to undergo surgery, but he was arrested at Erez Crossing and still under arrest so far.

Under Israeli fire, Gaza fishermen plan protest tent to “free the Holy Land sea”


12th December 2013 | Free the Holy Land Sea | Gaza, Occupied Palestine

The Israeli navy regularly attacks and captures fishermen in Palestinian waters off the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rosa Schiano)
The Israeli navy regularly attacks and captures fishermen in Palestinian waters off the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rosa Schiano)

For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Zakaria Baker (Arabic)
zakarea-1010@hotmail.com
Khalil Shaheen (Arabic, English)
khalilshaheen@yahoo.com

On Tuesday, 17 December, Palestinian fishermen will pitch a protest tent in the Gaza seaport. The structure, which will stand for three days and be decorated with pictures of fishermen attacked or captured by the Israeli navy, is a demonstration against Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and its military attacks on Palestinian fishermen.
Fishermen who have previously been attacked or captured, as well as representatives of fishing and human rights organizations, will be available for interviews. Palestinian and international supporters speaking Arabic, Catalan, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish will also participate.
“As fishermen, we want people to stand in solidarity with us, to free Gaza waters and guarantee our full enjoyment of the fundamental right to sail freely, and to stop Israel’s massive violations against us,” said fisherman and activist Zakaria Baker. “It’s time to stop all kinds of war crimes against fishermen. It’s time to end the illegal siege, a form of collective punishment forbidden under international humanitarian law.”
“Gaza fishermen are seeking to enjoy their livelihoods based on dignity and freedom,” said Khalil Shaheen, director of the economic and social rights unit at the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR). “Let people live their normal lives. End all collective punishment. Respect human rights in all circumstances.”
The “Free the Holy Land Sea” campaign is supported by PCHR, Activists for Palestinian Prisoners, the al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, the General Union of Fishermen, the International Solidarity Movement, the Palestinian Press Network, Supporters for Fishermen’s Rights, and the Unadikum Association.
The tent will stand from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, on Tuesday, 17 December through Thursday, 19 December.

Resources:
Fishing under fire off the Gaza coast
The Guardian
8 December 2013

Israeli Attacks on Fishermen in the Gaza Sea
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
8 November 2013

Restricted Livelihood: Gaza’s Fishermen
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
11 July 2013

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

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.