Fact Sheet

Israeli Attacks on Fishermen in the Gaza Sea

The
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) documented 15 attacks launched by
the Israeli Occupation Forces against Palestinian fishermen during the
reporting period (1– 31 January 2013),[1]
including 14 shooting incidents and 1 chase operation which led to the arrest
of 3 fishermen and the confiscation of their boat.

Violation of the Right to Life and Security of Persons

Israel’s attacks against Palestinian fishermen
in the Gaza Strip constitutes a flagrant violation of international
humanitarian and human rights law, especially the right to life and security of
the person, in accordance with Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, to which the State of Israel is a party.  Israeli forces
perpetrated violations against Palestinian fishermen in the sea when these
fishermen did not pose any threat to Israeli naval troops.  The fishermen
were practicing their right to work and seeking their livelihood within the
territorial waters of the Gaza Strip when the Israeli forces attacked them.

First: Firing at Fishing Boats in the Waters off
the Gaza Strip

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 14 cases in which Israeli
forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza shore; as a
result, a fishing boat was completely damaged, an engine was damaged and 3
boats were partially damaged.  These attacks took place within the 6
nautical miles allowed for fishermen to sail and fish in, according to the
ceasefire agreement signed between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under
Egyptian and international auspices.

Second: Arresting Fishermen

During the reporting period, PCHR documented incidents in which the
Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinian fishermen while fishing approximately 4 nautical
miles off the shore of the Gaza Valley, northwest of Nussirat refugee camp in
Central Gaza governorate.

· On 15 January
2013, Israeli forces arrested 3 fishermen, identified as: Mohammed Mattar Baker
(49); Hazem Hamdan Baker (40); Mohammed Samir Baker (20), from Gaza City, while
fishing approximately 4 nautical miles off the Gaza Valley shore, northwestern
of Nussirat refugee camp in the Central Gaza governorate.  They were transported to Ashdod seaport.  The fishermen were subject to investigation
before being released at approximately 16:00 on the same day through Beit
Hanoun “Erez” crossing point. 
The Israeli forces confiscated their fishing boat.  (For more details on the confiscated boat,
read below).

Third: Confiscation of Fishing Boats

PCHR has followed up Israel’s violations
against Palestinian fishermen in the waters off the Gaza Strip, particularly
the confiscation of fishing boats.  During the reporting period, the Israeli
forces confiscated 1 fishing boat.

· On 15 January
2013, Israeli naval forces, stationed off the Gaza Valley shore, Central Gaza,
chased and confiscated a fishing boat belonging to the sons of Hamdan Mattar
Baker, from Gaza, while sailing at approximately 4 nautical miles off the Gaza
Valley shore.  Onboard the boat was 3
fishermen who were arrested, interrogated and later released.  As of 5 February 2013 their fishing boat was
still confiscated

Table of Israeli Attacks on
Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City

(1 – 31 January 2013)