PRESS RELEASE

Israeli Navy opens fire on Palestinian boat, injuring two

 

Ref: 40/99

Date: 10 April 1999

Israeli Navy forces fired this morning at a Palestinian fishing boat and injured two Palestinian fishermen. They were transferred to Khan Younis Hospital where they are undergoing medical treatment. The incident took place at around 7:00 a.m. this morning, Saturday, April 10, when an Israeli Navy force opened fire against a Palestinian fishing boat carrying 10 fishermen who were fishing near the Khan Younis beach (within the permitted fishing zone). Mahmoud Moussa Al-Sharif, 28 years old from Khan Younis, was injured by two bullets in the arm and thigh. Said Saleh Al-Bardawil, 25 years old from Khan Younis, was slightly injured by a bullet that grazed his face.

PCHR expresses its deep concern over the increase in such cases involving the Israeli Navy and its ongoing excessive use of force against Palestinian fishermen. These cases include arresting Palestinian fishermen, capturing Palestinian fishing boats, sealing off the fishing zones, and attacking wharves in areas under Israeli security control in Gaza (Rafah and Khan Younis wharves). PCHR believes that this is a systematic Israeli policy against Palestinian fishermen aimed at putting a stranglehold on more than 2,500 Palestinian fishermen who earn their livelihood from this profession. PCHR believes that Israeli practices constitute a violation of Palestinian economic and social rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

 

For More Information Contact:

Palestinian Center for Human Right

Tel/Fax (+) 9727 2824776/2823725