Factsheet

Israeli naval forces continued to carry out attacks on Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip during the reporting period [1](01-30 September 2013), including (6) shooting incidents that led to wounding one fisherman and causing partial material damages to a fishing boat, and a chasing incident that led to the confiscation of two fishing boats.

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 4,000 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 6 cases in which Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza Strip shore. These attacks took place 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.

Second: Wounding a Fisherman 

On 18 September 2013, Israeli forces opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat off the Gaza Valley. As a result, the crane of the boat was hit and its belt fell on Salim Khalil Salim al-Fassih, 48, which resulted in injuries in his right hand’s fingers that led to severe bleeding. Al-Fassih was transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza, and the doctors had to amputate one of his right hand’s fingers.

Third: Confiscation of Fishing Equipment

During the reporting period, PCHR documented the confiscation of two fishing boats by Israeli naval forces. The confiscation incidents were as
follows:

– On 10 September 2013, Israeli naval forces confiscated two fishing boats belonging  to Khalil Ibrahim al-Bardawil, 38, and Nabil Khalil al-Bardawil, 48, while sailing at approximately one nautical mile off Rafah port. Khalil Ibrahim al-Bardawil said that there weren’t any fishermen on the two fishing boats, and that Israeli naval forces confiscated two generators and six torches from the boats.

Fourth: Damaging Fishing Equipment

During the reporting period, PCHR documented two incidents of damaging boats. The incidents were as follows:

– At approximately 18 September 2013, Israeli naval forces opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat belonging to Saleh Kabajah while sailing at
approximately 4 nautical miles off Gaza Valley.  

              Table of Israeli Attacks on
Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City in September 2013