RAFAH, April 19, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli navy Tuesday dawn detained four Palestinian fishermen and seized their boats off the coast of Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip, said WAFA correspondent.
WAFA correspondent reported a fisherman saying that Israeli naval gunboats opened fire at two fishing boats that were carrying four fishermen off the coast of Rafah, injuring a fishermen.
The navy ordered at gunpoint the fishermen to swim towards the Israeli naval boats and detained them. The navy also seized the two fishing boats.
According to Gaza Situation Report 139, Israeli naval forces detained eight fishermen, including one who was shot and injured, west of Gaza middle area and in the southern Gaza Strip during the period from 5 to 12 April. Only three fishermen were released.
“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,” stated the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.
“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,” added the center.
Israeli naval forces did not comply with the ceasefire agreement concluded between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian auspices on 26 August 2014.
This agreement includes allowing Palestinian fishermen to sail within six nautical miles in the Gaza Sea.
According to PCHR‘s investigations, all attacks took place within the distance of six nautical miles, which proves that Israeli forces‘ policies aim to tighten restrictions on the Gaza Strip‘s fishermen and their livelihoods.
K.F.
