The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have escalated their violations against, and harassment of, Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
This escalation coincides with the sardine season; the main fishing season for fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
Al Mezan has documented attacks varying from shooting, to damaging of fishing equipment, arresting, and harassing fishermen at work, and confiscating fishing boats and equipment.
The Israeli attacks come in the context of the stifling Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip that deprives fishermen from claiming their source of living.
Fishermen now work in shallow, sandy areas while plenty of fish is available yet unattainable in the deeper, rocky area that starts from seven nautical miles off of the shore.
According to Al Mezan’s monitoring and documentations, in May 2014, the IOF arrested 19 fishermen, injured three, and confiscated 10 fishing boats and other equipment such as electricity generators and anchors.
Attacks by Israeli occupying forces in the last week of May 2014 are summarized below: At approximately 10:00 pm on Tuesday, 27 May 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at two Palestinian fishing boats off of the Rafah coast.
As a result, fisherman Fat’hi Sa’eed As-Sa’eedi, 34, sustained a bullet wound in the left shoulder.
The IOF ordered him as well as four other fishermen to take off their clothes and swim towards the Israeli boat.
The IOF arrested As-Sa’eedi as well as the other four fishermen.
Al Mezan has identified them as follows: Abdel Rahman Mahmpud Shneno, 21; Ibrahim Khamis Murad, 44; His son Khamis, 22; and Ahmed ‘Awni Al Jeezawi, 22.
All of those arrested are residents of Shatee’ refugee camp.
The IOF took the fishermen to Ashdod and confiscated the two boats.
At approximately 5:00 pm on the next day, the IOF released the five fishermen at Erez crossing and kept their boats in custody.
As-Sa’eedi was referred to Shifa hospital to receive medical treatment.
At approximately 11:00 pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2014, the Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats off of the coast of Beit Lahiya in the North Gaza district.
The IOF then surrounded a fishing boat.
The IOF ordered four fishermen who were on the boat to take off their clothes and swim towards the Israeli boat.
The IOF arrested the fishermen and took them to an unknown destination.
Al Mezan has identified those arrested as follows: Haitham Ali Habeel, 33; His brother Fouad, 30; Sa’adi Saleh Al Adgham, 42; and Yihya Jamal Abu Watfa, 22.
The fishermen are residents of Shatee’ refugee camp.
At approximately 5:00 am on Friday, 30 May 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats west of the harbor west of Gaza City.
The IOF surrounded two fishing boats and ordered four fishermen who were on the boats to take off their clothes and swim to the Israeli boat.
As a result, Zayed Zaki Tarroush, 25, sustained a bullet wound in the right hand.
The IOF arrested the four fishermen, took them to Ashdod, and confiscated their boats.
Al Mezan has identified them as follows: Mahmoud Sa’eed As-Sa’eedi, 20; Mohammed Ali Murad, 20; Ismail Zaki Tarroush, 22; and His brother Zayed.
At approximately 5:30 pm on the same day, the IOF released them and kept their boats and fishing equipment in custody.
At approximately 7:00 am on Friday, 30 May 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats off the coast west of Al Waha resort, near the maritime border in the North Gaza district.
The IOF surrounded a fishing boat and ordered two fishermen who were onboard to take off their clothes and to swim to the Israeli boat.
The IOF arrested Mohammed Abu Warda, 27, and Ahmed Kamal Abu Warda, 20, and took them to Ashdod.
At approximately 5:30 pm on the same day, the IOF released the fishermen and kept the boat in custody.
Al Mezan reiterates condemnation of the Israeli violations of international law in the access restricted areas (ARA).
The Palestinian fishermen have the right to practice their work free of fear and attack.
The IOF attacks, which often violate the rules of international humanitarian law, deprive them from their right to livelihood and an adequate standard of living.
As a result, fishermen make up the poorest community in the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, these attacks have resulted in the arrest, injury and killing of fishermen.
Al Mezan therefore calls on the international community to provide due protection for Palestinian fishermen and other civilians, and to bring to an end Israel's violations of international law.
Fishermen must be allowed to work freely and safely within the 20 nautical miles off of Gaza's coast, as per the Oslo agreements.
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