Gaza Fishermen Hit Hard by Israelis

Palestinian fishermen in Gaza, who have been subjected to the Israeli naval blockade and constant armed attacks, also suffer from the fuel crisis because there is now a severe lack of fuel necessary to run the fishing boats. A poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights shows that hundreds of boats have been damaged, while 45 fishermen have been arrested, 17 injured and 3 killed in Israeli Navy attacks during the past six months. A Palestinian fisherman explains that there are daily problems for those who pass the allowable limit, such as coming under fire, water being sprayed on the boats, confiscation of boats and arrests. Although signed Palestinian-Israeli agreements establish that the allowable fishing limit is six miles, the attacks occur when fishermen pass the fifth mile. This morning Israeli forces opened fire on fishing boats on the Gaza coast, injuring at least two Palestinians. Noor Harazeen reports from Gaza for teleSUR.