GAZA,(Palestine Foundation Information Center) Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested several Palestinian fishermen from the shores of Gaza City as they were attempting to catch fish on Saturday evening, amid the ongoing famine and unprecedented starvation sweeping the Gaza Strip.
According to local sources, the fishermen were fishing in the Gaza port basin about 100 meters offshore when an Israeli warship approached and arrested them.
Zakaria Bakr, coordinator of the Fishermen’s Committees at the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, reported that Israeli naval vessels arrested five Palestinian fishermen from their boats while they were fishing near the shore.
Bakr added that the Israeli vessels threw some of the fishermen into the sea after detaining them, while the others were taken to an unknown location. He also noted that Israeli forces fired heavily toward the shoreline.
The Israeli military has imposed a full maritime blockade on Gaza from its northern to southern borders, preventing fishermen from accessing the sea. This has led to the killing of dozens since the start of the genocide campaign in October 2023.
A week ago, a spokesperson for the Israeli army announced the complete closure of Gaza’s coastline to Palestinians, now in the 21st consecutive month of war, citing “security reasons.” He said addressing the Strip’s inhabitants, “We remind you that strict security restrictions have been imposed on the maritime area adjacent to the Gaza Strip, and entry to the sea is prohibited.”
The Gaza coastline is now heavily patrolled by Israeli warships, which conduct daily shooting and shelling operations targeting Palestinians along the coastal strip. Some vessels come dangerously close to shore, especially with tens of thousands of displaced people sheltering in the Gaza port area.
Supported by unwavering US backing, Israel is waging a genocide against Gaza, which, according to the Ministry of Health, has so far resulted in more than 58,765 martyrs, over 140,485 injuries of varying severity, and more than 11,000 missing persons. The famine has already claimed dozens of lives, while over two million Palestinians endure forced displacement under catastrophic conditions.
