Israeli gunboats target fishermen off Rafah coast

Israeli gunboats opened fire Tuesday morning at Palestinian fishermen and their boats off the coast of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, without any reported injuries.

“They have forced us to leave the sea. The gunfire almost killed the fishermen on board the boats,” Mohamed Al-Bardawil, one of the fishermen, said.

The Gaza fishermen cannot sail beyond a distance of three miles, although the Oslo agreement between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Israeli occupation granted a fishing zone extending as far as 20 miles.

In another incident, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) opened fire at dozens of farmers east of Rafah city.

Dr. Muawiya Hassanein, the director of the ambulance and emergency services, said that medical crew rushed to the scene to search for casualties.