Thursday, January 28, 2010

Israeli Navy Fire Upon Gazan Fishermen

Thursday January 28, 2010 13:11 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News & Agencies

Israeli military boats have fired upon Gazan fishermen in Palestinian water this Thursday. The attack allegedly occurred in waters near the Rafah border crossing, off the southern coast of Gaza.

Gaza fishermen boat attacked by the Israeli naval forces – file photo 2009
According to a fisherman's testimony, Israeli gun-ships fired upon the Palestinian vessels, sending them back to shore with damaged boats.

Since the Israeli blockade upon Gaza, attacks on fishermen have steadily increased.

A number of them have been killed and many more have been detained by the Israeli military.

The Palestinian Fishermen Trade Union in Gaza warns that the fishing industry is at the verge of collapse due to Israeli prohibitions that severely limit where Gazans are permitted to fish.