Israeli Naval forces continued to carry out attacks on Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip during the reporting period[1] (1 – 30 November 2014), including 5 incidents of shelling of boats, 13 shooting incidents that resulted in the injury of 2 fishermen while fishing; and destruction of 5 fishing boats belonging to Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.

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: Two Fishermen Injured

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 5 cases in which Israeli forces targeted Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza Strip shore, sailing within the .  As a result, 2 fishermen were injured.

On 10 November 2014, at approximately 21:30, Israeli gunboats opened fire and fired shells at a fishing boat, which was sailing 200 meters off Rafah shore. As a result, the boat was completely burned and two fishermen sustained shrapnel wounds. The fishermen were taken to Abu Yousif al-Najjar hospital and their wounds were described as moderate.

Third: Destruction of Fishing Boats

During the reporting period, PCHR documented chasing incidents and destruction of 5 fishing boats. Two of the boats were completely burnt, another sank, and the remaining boats were severely damaged.

– At approximately 21:30, on 10 November 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a fishing boat sailing at 200 meters off the fishermen port in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. As a result, the boat was completely burnt.

– At approximately 23:40, on 10 November 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a fishing boat sailing at 800 meters off the fishermen port in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. As a result, the boat was completely burnt.

– At approximately 14:00, on 15 November 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a fishing boat, carrying 2 electricity generators and 6 light torches and sailing at 1.5 nautical miles off the fishermen port in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. As a result, the boat was severe damaged. It should be noted that the fisihing boat belongs to a fisherman from al-Bardawil family.

– On 17 November 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at two fishing boats, carrying 4 electricity generators and 12 light torches and sailing at 1.5 nautical miles off the fishermen port in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. As a result, one of the boats sank and the other sustained severe damage.

   Table of Israeli Attacks on
Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City in Novmber 2014