Israeli Gunboats Open Fire at Palestinian Boats, Arrest Two Fishermen and Confiscate their Boat in North Gaza District

At approximately 7:20 pm on Sunday, 21 August 2016, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that where in the Gaza sea west of Al Waha resort near the maritime borders that are west of Bait Lahiya in the North Gaza district. The IOF arrested two fishermen onboard and confiscated their boat and 10 nets. Al Mezan identified the arrested fishermen as follows:

• Ibrahim Ghalib As-Sultan, 23; and
• Sharif Mohammed As-Sultan, 43, the owner of the boat.

According to Al Mezan's field investigations, the fishermen were about 2,000 meters away from the northern illuminated buoys. Two Israeli boats surrounded the Palestinian fishing boat and ordered two fishermen onboard to take off their clothes and to swim to the Israeli boat. The other fishermen who were in the area abandoned their work for the day, sailing back to land immediately, a reflection of the dangers arising from the Israeli presence. At approximately 1:00 am on Monday 22 August 2016, the Israeli authorities released the fishermen at Erez crossing.