Ref: 65/2023

Date: 14 June 2023

Time: 10:00 GMT

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the continued Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea; the latest was when a fisherman has been injured, 5 others, including a child, have been arrested and their boat has been confiscated.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 00:00 on Wednesday, 14 June 2023, Israeli naval forces surrounded a fishing boat sailing within the fishing area allowed for Palestinian fishermen and belonging to fisherman Omar Ibrahim al-Habeel (70) off al-Waha Shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip. The fishing boat was manned by several fishermen: Mohammed Omar al-Habeel (37) and his son Omar (16), Jihad Mahmoud al-Habeel (24), Hasan Fadel Baker (36), and Sadam Majed Baker (32). The Israeli naval forces ordered the fishermen to take their clothes off, jump into the water and swim towards the gunboat.The fishermen were then arrested and taken to Ashdod Seaport and their fishing boat was confiscated. PCHR follows up the legal file of the detained fishermen to know where they are being held and to return their fishing boat.

Earlier, at around 08:30 on Tuesday, 13 June 2023, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, surrounded a fishing boat belonging to fisherman Saher Hasan Baker (23) while sailing within 3 nautical miles and heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. As a result, fisherman Ja’far Hasan Baker (40) was shot with 2 rubber-coated bullets in his right leg and in his abdomen. Baker was then evacuated to al-Shifa Medical Complex, where his injury was deemed minor. Also, the fishing boat’s structure and engine sustained material damage due to the shooting.

It is noteworthy that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) restrict Palestinian fishermen’s work and allow them to sail only within 6 to 12 nautical miles in the western Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of 2023, PCHR has documented injury of 10 fishermen and arrest of 15 others. Also, 7 fishing boats have been confiscated and damaged.

PCHR emphasizes that the Israeli practices against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip constitute a grave breach of all international conventions and instruments, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

PCHR reiterates its call on the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, to exert pressure on the Israeli occupation authorities to cease attacks and pursuit of Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea, as well as allowing fishermen to fish freely. PCHR calls upon the Israeli authorities to release the detained fishermen and compensate all fishermen for their losses incurred by the continued Israeli attacks in addition to releasing the fishing boats and equipment.