Ref: 21/2023

Date: 22 February 2023

Time: 13:00 GMT 

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns ongoing Israeli attacks on fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea, and the last of which was the arrest of 4 fishermen and confiscation of their fishing boat today in the morning.

According to PCHR’s follow-up, at approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 22 February 2023, Israeli naval forces surrounded a fishing boat sailing within 1.5 nautical miles off northwestern Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip and arrested 4 fishermen on board: ‘Omar Mohammed Subhi Baker (33), Ibrahim Mohammed Subhi Baker (24), Mansour Mohammed Subhi Baker (20), and Mohammed Jamal Mostafa Baker (38). The Israeli naval forces took all of them to Ashdod Seaport and confiscated their fishing boat. The fishermen are so far under arrest.

Earlier this month, on 09 February 2023, Israeli naval forces arrested two fishermen namely Mohammed Yaseen ‘Ali Zayid (28), from al-Salateen neighborhood in Beit Lahia, and Ghaith ‘Elian Mohammed Abu ‘Uon (24), from Jabalia while sailing within 1 nautical mile off northwestern Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip. The two fishermen were later released on the same day.

It should be noted that the Israeli occupation restricts Palestinian fishermen’s work and limited the fishing zone allowed for them within 6 to 12 nautical miles off western Gaza Strip shore.  Last year, 323 shooting incidents against fishing boats in Gaza Sea were documented by PCHR. Additionally. PCHR also documented the injury of 16 fishermen and arrest of 64 others, including 8 children; 3 of them are still under arrest. Also, the Israeli authorities continue to keep 21 fishing boats in custody in addition to dozens of fishing equipment.

In light of the above, PCHR emphasizes that the Israeli practices against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip constitute a grave breach of all international conventions and instruments, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.  Also, the Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen contradict the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and stipulates the need to protect workers and guarantee their integrity.

PCHR reiterates its call on the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, to exert pressure on the Israeli occupation authorities to cease attacks and pursuit of Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea, as well as allowing fishermen to fish freely.  PCHR calls upon the Israeli authorities to release the detained fishermen and compensate all fishermen for their losses incurred by the continued Israeli attacks in addition to releasing the fishing boats and equipment.