Israeli Naval Forces Wound 3 Fishermen Off Gaza City Shore and Damage Two Boats
Ref: 79/2022
Date: 16 June 2022
Time: 12:00 GMT
On Thursday morning, 16 June 2022, three Palestinian fishermen were lightly and moderately wounded after Israeli gunboats fired rubber bullets at them. The Israeli gunboats deliberately crashed into their boat and flipped it in the water, putting their lives at risk and causing severe damage to the boat and its engine.
According to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)’s follow-up, at approximately 09:20 on Thursday, 16 June 2022, Israeli gunboats chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2 nautical miles off al-Shati camp shore, west of Gaza City, and heavily opened fire at them. As a result, three fishermen were wounded and identified as Naser ‘Ali Fakhri Baker (18), Mohammed Fakhri ‘Abed al-Qader Baker (38) and Mohammed Jaber Husam Baker (24). All of them are from al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City. The wounded fishermen were taken to receive treatment at al-Shifa Hospital, where their wounds were classified between minor and moderate. Some fishermen managed to pull the fishing boat towards the shore after Israeli gunboats crashed into it and flipped it in the water, causing severe damage to the boat structure and its engine. In the same incident, another fishing boat belonging to fishermen Marwan ‘Awad al-Sa’iedy (61) sustained material damage after being hit with several rubber bullets; however, the fishermen managed to pull the fishing boat towards the shore.
It is noteworthy that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) restrict work of Palestinian fishermen and allow them to sail only within 6 to 12 nautical miles in the western Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of 2022, PCHR documented injury of 13 fishermen and arrest of 39 others, including 6 children; 9 of them are still under arrest. Also, the Israeli authorities continue to keep 11 fishing boats and dozens of fishing equipment in their custody.
In light of the above, PCHR condemns the ongoing Israeli attacks against fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea and emphasizes that the Israeli practices against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip constitute a grave violation of all international conventions, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Also, the Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen violate the Fourth Geneva Convention relevant to the protection of civilians in time of occupation and stipulates the need to protect workers and guarantee their integrity.
PCHR call on the international community, including the States Party to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, to force Israeli authorities to cease attacks and persecution of Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza waters, and to allow fishermen to fish freely.