On Monday, 6 November 2017, at around 13:00, the Israeli navy detained two Palestinian fishermen after opening fire at their boats off the coast of Al Sudaniya in North Gaza, injuring two. The fishermen were released back into Gaza later the same day; however, their two boats remain is Israel’s custody.

The two brothers Mohammed Ali Othman, 25, and Hasan Ali Othman, 28, spoke to Al Mezan after their release. Regarding the incident, Mahmoud stated the following:

“While on our boat in Al Sudaniya, about four nautical miles from the northern border, an Israeli navy boat started pursuing us. The soldiers demanded that we stop our boat, but I refused and explained that I was sailing within the permitted zone. One soldier then started shooting at us, and my brother and I were both injured—my left leg was bleeding. They told us to strip off our clothes and first to swim and then use the rigid inflatable boat to get to the navy boat. When we boarded, we were handcuffed and blindfolded. When the boat began moving, my brother and I were in pain in the places we were injured. One hour later, we were guided off the boat and brought to an Arabic-speaking person. I was told that I would be taken to a hospital in 15 minutes. He gave me a painkiller, which he said was Acamol.

Later, I was taken to the hospital alone where, upon the doctor’s request, both the handcuffs and the blindfold were taken off. The doctor said that my left leg had been broken, and a cast was put on. I asked the soldiers where my brother was, and they informed me that he had been released an hour earlier. The next day at 12:30 am I was taken to the [Erez] crossing. I was transferred to Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza. I found out that my brother had been injured with a rubber-coated steel bullet.”

Since 1 January 2017, the Israeli navy has used firearms against Palestinian fishermen in 158 instances, killing two fishermen, injuring two, detaining 30, and confiscating 11 boats. The Israeli navy systematically violates the rights of Palestinian fishermen, in contradiction with the Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian and human rights laws. A fisherman’s right to life, work, dignity, and to personal security is threatened and undermined every day that he or she sets sail off the Gaza coast. 

Al Mezan strongly condemns Israel’s continued harassment and attacks on Palestinian fishermen. These practices point to the existence of an established and calculated policy by the Israeli authorities to prevent fishermen from conducting their work safely and with dignity and from accessing and enjoying Palestine’s natural resources.

Al Mezan reaffirms the right of fishermen to work freely in Gaza’s territorial waters, being 20 nautical miles, in-line with the Oslo Accords. Palestinian fishermen endure the above described treatment despite remaining within the permitted, restricted zone, which is currently and provisionally set for nine nautical miles in light of the sardine season. 

Al Mezan calls on the international community, led by signatories to the fourth Geneva Convention, to act upon their moral and legal obligations to take serious and immediate steps to ensure protection of Palestinian fishermen while putting pressure on Israel to honor its legal obligations.