Sunday, February 26, 2012

CPSGaza Report - 25 February 2012

CPSGaza

26 February 2012

The Oliva left the Gaza Seaport at 4.00 pm, on board his Palestinian captain, two international observers from CPS Gaza and an international visitor.

At 4.40 pm, the Oliva was about 2 nautical miles offshores, it observed an Israeli navy vessel, which was getting close to the fishermen and continuing to move at high speed among their boats, telling them to go away.
When the Oliva reached the fishermen, the Israeli ship backed off.

At 4.51 pm, the fishermen informed Oliva’s crew that an Israeli navy vessel had opened fire at their boats before that they reached three nautical miles from shore.
At about 5.00 pm, Oliva observed the Israeli navy vessel moving at high rate of speed towards the fishermen.
At 5.14 pm the Israeli vessel started to shoot towards the fishermen. Then, the Israeli navy vessel backed off.
At 5.30 pm, Oliva observed the Israeli vavy vessel starting to move toward the fishermen and shooting in the water.
At 5.52 pm, Oliva observed the Israeli navy vessel shooting towards a trawler.
At 6.20 pm Oliva returned to the port of Gaza.

As reported by some fishermen, the Israeli soldiers threatened to target their boats if they keep communicating with the Oliva's international crew.

Background:

Restrictions on the fishing zone are of extreme significance to Palestinian livelihoods. This area was supposed to be 20 miles according to the Jericho agreements from 1994 (under the Oslo accords), then it was reduced to 12 miles, to 6 miles and now to 3 miles since January 2009.
The marine ‘buffer zone’ restricts Gazan fishermen from accessing 85% of Gaza’s fishing waters agreed to by Oslo.
Israel has been regularly attacking Palestinian fishermen within the purported 3 nautical mile fishing limit.
The livelihood of many Gazans relies on fishing and Israel has been using live ammunition and water cannons to prevent fishermen from doing their work.
The Israeli Siege continues after more than 4 years, limiting the sea area available for the Gaza population.

The Civil Peace Services continue monitoring potential human rights violations on the sea along the Gaza Strip.






 

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