GAZA, Sunday, March 21, 2021 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation's navy and forces opened fire today at Palestinian fishermen sailing off Deir el-Balah and at herders to the east of Rafah in two separate incidents, said local sources. No injuries were reported.

Israeli naval boats opened fire and water cannons on fishermen while sailing at about three nautical miles from the shore of Deir el-Balah, in the center of the Strip, causing partial damage to at least one boat and forcing fishermen to return to the shore.

Meanwhile, Israeli occupation soldiers stationed at military watchtowers along the Gaza perimeter fence to the east of Rafah, south of the Strip, opened random fire toward Palestinian farmers as they were working in farmlands adjacent to the Gaza perimeter fence, forcing them to leave.

The Israeli occupation army does not allow Palestinians to be within 300 meters from the perimeter fence surrounding the Gaza Strip, which it unilaterally considers as a buffer zone, and often opens fire at any farmers, herders or civilians and whoever reaches those areas.

Israeli navy harassment of Palestinian fishermen off Gaza is also a daily occurrence, and aims at undermining the fishing industry in Gaza, a vital source of income to thousands of families there.

M.N