On Friday, 21 March 2013, the Israeli authorities issued increased restrictions on the fishing zone off of the coast of the Gaza Strip.
These restrictions remove the three additional nautical miles added to the fishing zone as part of the cease-fire agreement ending the November military operation on Gaza.
According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, at approximately 12:30 am on Friday, 21 March 2013, the Israeli Navy opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats, which were around the six nautical mile mark off of the Gaza City coast.
In his affidavit to Al Mezan, one of the fishermen heard an Israeli soldier via amplifier saying in Arabic, “this is a decision from the State of Israel: you have to withdraw your boats to three nautical miles.
Any boat that goes beyond three nautical miles will be sunk.
” He then saw Israeli boats moving towards Palestinian boats, and noted the presence of live fire.
The fishermen were frightened and immediately moved to an area within three nautical miles from the shore.
Additionally, according to Al Mezan field investigations, the Israeli forces continue routine attacks on Palestinian fishermen.
Since the ceasefire agreement, Israeli occupying forces have carried out 44 attacks against fishermen in Gaza’s waters, injuring four fishermen.
Israeli forces arrested 44 fishermen, confiscated nine boats, and damaged fishing equipment on five separate occasions.
The Oslo Accords between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel granted Palestinian fishermen the right to fish within a zone of 20 nautical miles in the sea off the coast of Gaza.
In 2000, the stringent restrictions on Gaza, resulting in collective punishment of the local population, meant a reduced fishing zone to 12 nautical miles, an area that was then further reduced to six nautical miles.
In January 2009, following Israel’s three week assault on the Gaza Strip (Operation Cast Lead), the fishing zone was cut again; this time to three nautical miles.
The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights strongly condemns the Israeli restrictions on the fishing zone as it is collective punishment placed on the people of Gaza.
Al Mezan reiterates its previous calls on Israel to end violations against Palestinian fishermen and to lift the closure of the Gaza Strip.
End