"Israelis" Cut Back Fishing Space in Gaza’s Sea

Local Editor

"Israeli" authorities violated the fishing space agreed upon in the Cairo-brokered treaty after Operation Pillar of Cloud aggression on the Gaza Strip.
The excuse, as usual, was the claim that missiles are being launched towards the settlements near the Strip, which made thousands of Palestinian fishermen lose hope of making use of the sardine season in April.
The President of the Fishermen Union Nizar Ayyash told al-Ahed News website about the Zionist decision to cut back the fishing space from 6 miles to 3, describing this as an attempt to harm the most important fishing season in Gaza.
Moreover, Ayyash pointed out that the cut back policy that "Israel" adopts on around 4000 fishermen goes way beyond merely negative impacts, reaching around 50 thousand people.

Ayyash further stressed that this poor category of people should be allowed to provide for their livelihood in a space no lesser than 20 miles, according to the Oslo Accord between the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Zionist entity.
Field data showed that since the said accord was signed, fishermen were not allowed to fish beyond 10 miles, because of the "Israel's" mentality.
Abu Khaled, a fisherman in his thirties, questioned, "How are we supposed to cope after today?"

"I couldn't catch more than a kilo of fish, although I sailed for three hours in the new fishing space," emphasizing, "The current season requires protection from "Israeli" warships that do not waver to target Palestinian boats by firing on them and confiscating them."

Abu Mohammad, however, was none the better. He also worries on how to provide for his family, calling on the international community to save the lives of the besieged strip.
B'Tselem, the "Israeli" Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories accentuated that, ever since the Pillar of Cloud military operation in November 2012, around 40 fishermen were arrested by "Israeli" navy and 13 Palestinian boats confiscated.
According to the Center, fishermen are required to pay 500 shekels (150 USD) to move their boats from Ashdod port to Gaza.

Source: al-Ahed News, translated and edited by moqawama.org