Gaza fishermen protest naval blockade, Israel replys injuring 3 fishermen

In its customary language of reply, Israeli forces shot and wounded three Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the Gaza Strip. Another report says the fishermen boat was shelled, setting it on fire.



PressTV - Gaza fishermen protest naval blockade:

Thu May 26, 2011 10:47PM
Ashraf Shannon, Press TV, Gaza

"Gazan fishermen held a sit-in at the fishermen pier to protest against Israeli naval blockade. Israel retained military control of Gaza's territorial waters under the so-called 1993 Oslo Peace Accords and agreed to allow fishing boats to sail into the Mediterranean for up to 20 nautical miles.

But in the last 10 years Gaza fishermen have been able to fish only in a narrow stretch of water up to three miles. Gazan fishermen sail within a three-nautical-mile zone most of the time, but despite that they have come under increasing Israeli fire and attacks.

According to health officials in Gaza Israeli forces firing towards Palestinian fishing boats since the beginning of 2010 or 2011. Have killed 10 fishermen and injuring a dozen others.

Meanwhile Hamas government civil defense forces held maneuvers to prepare to deal with any possible Israeli attack on fishing and international aid boats in Gaza's territorial waters.

Restriction on the zone in which Gazans are allowed to fish is reducing catches and according to health experts is affecting people's diets as they cannot afford another source of protein.

Thousands of people in Gaza are economically connected with the fishing industry, and experts warn the harassment of fishermen will put the entire population in deep trouble.

PressTV - Israeli soldiers injure 3 Gaza fishermen:
Fri May 27, 2011

"Israeli forces have shot and wounded three Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the Gaza Strip as Tel Aviv continues its grip on the coastal sliver.

The fishermen's boat caught fire after the incident which left the three Palestinians injured, AFP reported.

Palestinian officials in Gaza say the attack is not the first of its kind and aims to tighten the screws on fishermen living in the territory.

This comes after tens of fishermen organized a sit-in in the port of Gaza on Thursday, calling on the international community to intervene and help lift the Israeli maritime siege, reduce restrictions on their operations, and provide them with international protection.

The Israeli military controls Gaza's territorial waters, but under 1993 Oslo Accords it has agreed to allow fishing boats to sail into the Mediterranean for up to 20 nautical miles.

However, over the past decade, Gaza fishermen have been able to fish only in a narrow stretch of water up to three miles and even within that restricted area they come under increasing Israeli attacks.

According to health officials in Gaza, at least 10 Palestinian fishermen have been killed and dozens wounded since 2010.

Meanwhile, Hamas has held maneuvers to repel any possible Israeli attacks on fishing and international aid boats in Gaza's territorial waters.




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