Israeli Naval forces continued to carry out attacks on Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip during the reporting period[1] (01-31 January 2015), including 12 shooting incidents that resulted in the injury of 4 fishermen; damaging 4 fishing boats; 2 chasing incidents that led to the arrest of 8 fishermen, including 2 children; and confiscation of a fishing boat and  fishing nets belonging to Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli naval forces did not comply with the ceasefire agreement concluded between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian auspices on 26 August 2014.  This agreement includes allowing Palestinian fishermen to sail within 6 nautical miles in the Gaza Sea.  According to PCHR’s investigations, all attacks took place within the distance of 6 nautical miles, which proves that Israeli forces’ policies aim to tighten restrictions on the Gaza Strip’s fishermen and their livelihoods.

Violations of the International Humanitarian
and Human Rights Law

Israel’s attacks against Palestinian fishermen, who do not pose any threat to Israeli soldiers, in the Gaza Strip constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, relevant to the protection of the civilian population and respect for its rights, including every person’s right to work, and the right to life, liberty and security of person, as codified in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), despite the fact that Israel is a State Party to the Covenant.  Furthermore, these attacks occurred in a time where the fishers did not pose any threat to the Israeli naval troops, as they were doing their job to secure a living.  Israeli violations in the reporting period were as follows:

First: Shooting Incidents

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 12 cases in which Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza Strip shore.  As a result, 4 fishermen were injured.

– At approximately 04:00 on 03 January 2015, Israeli gunboats stationed off Rafah shore in the southern Gaza Strip opened fire and fired shells at a Palestinian fishing boat sailing within 400 meters near the old fishermen port.  As a result, Salim Jamal Hasan al-No’man (38) from al-Shati’ refugee camp in Gaza City was hit by a bullet to the left thigh and then taken to Naser Hospital in Khan Younis to receive medical treatment.  Medical sources said that his injury is moderate.  Moreover, his fishing boat was completely burnt.

– At approximately on 21 January 2015, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by 4 fishermen while sailing off al-Soudaniya shore in the northern Gaza Strip.  As a result, ‘Atef Mohammed Subhi Baker (19) was hit by a bullet to the right thigh while Bayan Khamis Baker (20) sustained shrapnel wound in his forehead.  Moreover, Mohammed Saber Baker (18) sustained pulled hamstring and bruises in both legs due to falling from the boat while Israeli naval forces were chasing him.  The wounded persons were taken to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City to receive medical treatment, and medical sources said that his injury is moderate.

Second: Arrest of Fishermen:

PCHR documented incidents in which Israeli naval forces arrested and chased 8 fishermen, including 2 children, while they were sailing within about 2-3 nautical miles off northern Gaza and Gaza City shore.

– At approximately 13:00 on 01 January 2015, an Israeli gunboat surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by 3 Palestinian fishermen.  The Israeli naval forces forced the 3 fishermen to take off their clothes and jump to the water to swim towards the Israeli gunboat.  The Israeli soldiers then arrested the 3 fishermen and took them to Ashdod Seaport in addition to confiscating their boat.  The arrested fishermen were identified as Mohammed Nahedh Mohammed Basalah (20); Eyad ‘Othman No’aman al-Nahal (23) and Mohammed
Hisham Ahmed al-Nahal (21).  At approximately 23:00 on the same day, all fishermen were released.

– On 26 January 2015, Israeli naval forces arrested 5 fishermen while practicing their work off al-Soudaniyah shore, north of Gaza City.  The arrested fishermen were identified as Rami ‘Abdel Mo’ati Ibrahim al-Habil (36) Sa’id Rami al-Habil (13); ‘Abdel Mo’ati Ibrahim ‘Omer al-Habil (16) and Mer’eb Nahedh ‘Abdullah Abu Riyalah (32).  It should be mentioned that the Israeli gunboats drowned the boat boarded by the aforementioned fishermen.  On the same day evening, all fishermen were released.

Third: Confiscation of Fishing Boats

During the reporting period, PCHR documented chasing incidents and confiscation of a fishing boat and other fishing equipment (pieces of fishing net). 

– On 01 January 2015 and in the aforementioned incident, an Israeli gunboat surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by 3 fishermen.  The Israeli  naval soldiers then confiscated the fishing boat and pieces of net as well as arresting 3 fishermen.

Forth: Damaging Fishing Equipment

– On 03 January 2015, Israeli gunboats stationed off Rafah shore in the southern Gaza Strip opened fire and fired shells at a Palestinian fishing boat sailing 400 meters off the old seaport. As a result, the boat was completely burnt, and a fisherman on the board was hit by a bullet to the left thigh.

– On 11 January 2015, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Wahah shore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 1.5 nautical miles.  As a result, one of the boats was severely damaged due to being shot with several bullets.

– On 21 January 2015, Israeli gunboats off al-Sudaniyah shore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a fishing boat sailing off al-Sudaniyah shore in the northern Gaza Strip.  As a result, the boat structure and engine were severely damaged.

– On 26 January 2015, Israeli naval forces chased a fishing boat while sailing off al-Sudaniyah shore, north of Gaza and then opened fire at the boat.  They arrested 5 fishermen who were on its board and then drowned the boat in the sea.

   Table of Israeli
Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City in January 2015