Israeli Gunboats Open Fire on Palestinian Fishing Boats and Damage their Nets in North Gaza District

At approximately 7:45 am on Thursday 22 September 2011, Israeli naval vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened sporadic fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of the As-Sudaniya area, to the northwest of Al Waha Resort, west of Beit Lahiya in North Gaza district.
According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, there is a heavy IOF presence deployed in the area.
  These forces deliberately open fire directly at Palestinian fishermen and chase them to the beach in order to destroy their fishing nets.
  Fishermen drop their nets in the sea to catch crabs, which are found in large numbers near the beach at this time of the year.
  The IOF often destroys and/or confiscates fishing nets, in addition to opening fire on Palestinian fishermen for sustained periods of time.
  Fishermen therefore have their lives placed in danger and lose their source of income as they abandon their work for fear of Israeli attacks.
According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, five fishermen lost their nets during the most recent episode in the ongoing Israeli attacks.
  Al Mezan has identified them as follows: ·         Qusay Mohammed Abed As-Sultan; ·         Subhi Mohamed Hassan As-Sultan; ·         Ramadan Ghaleb Ramadan As-Sultan; ·         ‘Ahed Ziyad Mahmoud Zayed; and ·         Mu’nes Abed Ramadan Zayed.
No casualties or injuries were reported.