Ref: 102/2022

Date: 16 August 2022

Time: 11:14 GMT

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the Israeli Occupation Forces’ (IOF) ongoing violations against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea; the latest was on Tuesday when the Israeli naval forces arrested 4 fishermen and confiscated their 2 fishing boats off western Beit Lahia shore.

According to PCHR’s follow-up, at approximately 07:00, on Tuesday,16 August, 2022, the Israeli naval forces stationed off Al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, arrested 4 fishermen namely: Mohammad Ghalib Ramadan Al-Sultan (29), Kamal Hassan Ramadan Al-Sultan (23), Sharif Ahmed Hashem al-‘Attar (39) and Mohamad Rafeeq ‘MohammadAli’ Al-Sultan (21); all of them are residents of Beit Lahia. The Israeli forces also confiscated the fishermen’s 2 boats that were sailing within 3 nautical miles offshore and took them to an unknown destination.

IOF restrict Palestinian fishermen’s work at Gaza Strip Sea and only allow them to sail within 6 to 12 nautical miles. So far in 2022, PCHR documented injury of 19 fishermen and arrest of 45 others, including 6 children; 5 of them are still under arrest. Also, the Israeli authorities continue to keep 15 fishing boats and dozens of fishing equipment in their custody.

In light of the above, PCHR emphasizes that the Israeli practices against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip constitute a grave violation of all international conventions, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Also, the Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen violate the Fourth Geneva Convention relevant to the protection of civilians in time of occupation and stipulates the need to protect workers and guarantee their integrity.

PCHR reiterates its call on the international community, including the States Party to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, to force Israeli authorities to cease attacks and persecution of Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza waters, and to allow fishermen to fish freely. Moreover, PCHR calls upon Israeli authorities to compensate fishermen for their losses caused by the continued Israeli attacks and release the detained fishing boats and equipment.