GAZA, Monday, February 3, 2020 (WAFA) – Israeli navy today evening nabbed three Palestinian fishermen offshore from Gaza city, said sources.

Israeli navy ships intercepted a Palestinian fishing boat and nabbed three fishermen while fishing in Gaza waters. They were taken to an unknown destination.

According to B’Tselem, the Israeli military “routinely” abuses fishermen “on various grounds,” explaining: “One reason alleged is boats sailing beyond the permitted area, even when fishermen use GPS devices and ensure they remain within the permitted boundaries.”

fishermen in Gaza suffer from Israel’s gradual destruction of the fishing sector in Gaza. Before it imposed the blockade on Gaza, Israel used to permit fishing up to 12 nautical miles from shore. Since imposing the blockade, Israel has changed the s of the permitted fishing zone several times a year, said B’Tselem, the Israeli information center for human rights in occupied territories.

As 31 Dec. 2018 it was nine nautical miles in the area south of Gaza City and six nautical miles in the area from Gaza City and northwards, up to the maritime boundary with Israel. Limiting the permitted fishing zone reduces the variety and quantity of available fish, harming the livelihood of Gazan fishermen.

“Israel’s policy regarding the fishing sector in Gaza perfectly illustrates why its claim that it no longer bears responsibility for the residents and affairs in Gaza is divorced from reality. The fact is that Israel continues to control many aspects of life in Gaza, at times from afar, and sometimes on the ground. Its actions have caused the fishing sector to collapse and left fishermen in Gaza in dire straits,” said the center.

T.R.