Factsheet

Israeli Naval forces continued to carry out attacks on Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip during the reporting period[1] (01-31 October 2013), including 10 shooting incidents, and 1shelling incident.  Neither injuries nor damages were reported.

The issuance of this factsheet coincides with the aggravation of Palestinian fishermen’s suffering in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing Israeli naval blockade and preventing fishermen from fishing freely as well as the severe lack of fuel supplies needed to run the fishing boats and equipment.  According to PCHR’s follow-up, hundreds of Palestinian boats have broken down and more than 4000 fishermen have suffered due to being denied access to the fuel needed for their work.  This has led to serious  deterioration in living conditions of a population of more than 75,000 that depends on the fishing sector as a main livelihood.[2]

Although Israeli authorities limited the fishing distance in Gaza Sea to 6 nautical miles, they neither complied with that distance nor allowed Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip to sail and fish freely, and continued their attacks against them.  PCHR documented all attacks carried out 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 sources of livelihood.

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: Firing at Fishing Boats in the Gaza Strip Waters

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 10 cases in which  Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza Strip shore. Seven attacks of which took place off the northern Gaza Strip; two attacks took place off the central Gaza Strip shore; and the last one was off the Rafah shore in the south of the Gaza Strip.  It is noted that all these incidents happened within the 6 nautical miles allowed for fishermen to sail and fish in, according to the cease fire agreement concluded between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian and international auspices. 

– At approximately 01:30 on 11 October 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, fired live ammunition and a number of shells in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishermen sailing 4 nautical miles (nm).  The shooting continued for about 20 minutes resulting in fear among fishermen, who were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded. 

– At approximately 23:30 on 12 October 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire at the
Palestinian fishermen sailing within 3 nm.  As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.

– On 13 October 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniyah shore, west of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats.  As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.

– On 13 October 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Zahrah shore, south of Gaza city, opened fire in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats.  As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded. – On 13 October 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off Deir al-Balah shore, in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats.  As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.

– On 21 October 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniyah shore, west of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats.  As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.

– At approximately 20:30 on 23 October 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire at the Palestinian fishermen sailing within 3 nm.  As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.

– On 24 October 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off Rafah shore in the south of the Gaza Strip opened fire in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats.  As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.

– At approximately 16:45 on 24 October 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire at the Palestinian fishermen sailing within 4 nm.  As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.

– At approximately 20:00 on 27 October 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire at the Palestinian fishermen sailing within 3 nm.  As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.