Israel Reduces Gaza Fishing Zone after Protests
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Israel’s defense minister ordered a reduction of the fishing zone along the Gaza Strip’s coastline, in retaliation for protests along the border fence with the Palestinian enclave.
The fishing zone will be reduced to 6 nautical miles from 9 nautical miles, a statement by Avigdor Lieberman’s office said, AFP reported on Monday.
Restrictions on the extent of fishing zones along the Gaza shoreline form part of Israel’s economic blockade of the strip, which has been in place for more than a decade.
Under the Oslo Accords of the early 1990s, fishermen are supposed to be allowed to operate up to 20 nautical miles off the coast.
Lieberman decided to reduce the fishing zone after Friday’s protests escalated along the border between Israel and Gaza, the Defense Ministry statement said.
Three Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire during the protests along the border fence Friday, including a 14-year-old boy, while nearly 400 were wounded, including 126 with bullet wounds, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.