Ref: 62/2022Date: 25 May 2022Time: 11:00 GMT The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the arrest of two fishermen on Tuesday, 24 May 2022, by Israeli naval forces off western Rafah Seaport, south of the Gaza Strip. Over the past two months, the Israeli naval forces escalated their attacks against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip, as incidents of shooting, arrests and chases recurred against fishermen, who were sailing within the allowed fishing areas, in addition to confiscation of their fishing boats and equipment. This has deteriorated the condition of workers in professions associated with the fishing sector.According to PCHR’s follow-up, at approximately 21:30 on Tuesday, 24 May 2022, Israeli gunboats chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles off Rafah Seaport in the southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli gunboats opened fire at the fishing boats, surrounded one of them and arrested two fishermen on board namely Ameen So’oud Mahmoud Hassonah (38) and Mahmoud Mohammed Mahmoud Hassonah (26). On Wednesday morning, 25 May 2022, the Israeli occupation authorities released the two fishermen via Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing.    It is noteworthy that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) restrict work of Palestinian fishermen and allow them to sail only within 6 to 12 nautical miles in the western Gaza Strip. So far in 2022, PCHR documented IOF’s violations against fishermen sailing within the allowed fishing areas as 6 fishermen were injured and 25 others, including 6 children, were arrested; 3 of them are still under arrest. Also, the Israeli authorities continue to keep 7 fishing boats and dozens of fishing tools and 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.