Ref: 47/2020

Date: 17 May 2020

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the ongoing Israeli attacks against Palestinian  fishermen, which led to the injury of 2 fishermen and the damage of a fishing boat. It should be noted that since the beginning of May, 7 fishermen were wounded, 2 others arrested and 4 fishing boats were damaged due the ongoing Israeli naval forces’ attacks.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 05:30 on Friday, 15 May 2020, Israeli naval forces stationed northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, chased Palestinian fishing boats while the latter sailed at 3 nautical miles and heavily fired live and rubber bullets at them. As a result, 2 fishermen, from al-Shati’ refugee camp in western Gaza City, were wounded and identified as:

1. Ahmed Mousa Ramadan Abu ‘Amirah (24), who was shot and injured with a rubber bullet in his head; and
2. Nidal Mousa Ramadan Abu ‘Amirah (38), who sustained metal balls wounds .

Furthermore, the fishing boat’s engine sustained partial damage and 11 fishing nets were lost and damaged.

Fisherman, Nidal Mousa Ramadan Abu ‘Amirah, said to PCHR’s fieldworker: ” At approximately 04:30, my brother Ahmed, my son Mohamed and I headed to the sea in northwest of Beit Lahia for fishing. We sailed at 3 nautical miles (the allowed fishing area). At approximately 05:30, an Israeli gunboat approached us and Israeli naval forces fired live and rubber bullets at us. As a result, my brother Ahmed  sustained a rubber bullet wounds in his head and fainted on the boat board. Also, the fishing boat’s engines sustained damage and stopped working. The Israeli naval forces approached our boat again and damaged a 600-meter-long fishing nets. Fifteen minutes later, a Palestinian fishing boat approached us and helped my bother Ahmed while another fishing boat tied our broken boat and tried to pull it to a safe area. During which, Israeli naval forces targeted our boat again and I sustained metal balls wounds in my left foot and hand. Despite the extreme danger, the fishermen were able to pull us to a safe area. After that, my brother Ahmed was taken to al-Shifa Hospital, where his injuries were classified as moderate.”

In a previous incident, at approximately 06:00 on Thursday, 14 May 2020, Israeli naval forces stationed northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, chased Palestinian fishing boats while the latter sailed at 3 nautical miles, heavily opened fire at them and fired shells in their surroundings. The Israeli naval forces’ shooting and chasing continued until 09:00, causing fear and panic among the fishermen and forcing them to leave the sea and flee. No casualties were reported.