A Palestinian fisherman was killed Friday after Israeli naval troops chased down his boat off the coast of the southern Gaza Strip region of Rafah, medics in Gaza said.
The victim Ziad Bardawil died after the troops pursued him and several other fishermen in the Rafah sea, Adham Abu Salmiyya, the medical services spokesman, told the PIC.
Condemning Israel's targeting of Palestinian fisherman, chief agriculture ministry official Ibrahim Al Qudra said Israel has no shame in shooting heavily and daily at fishermen in order to stop them from practicing their profession. Fishermen have been deeply affected by this real threat.
Israel has reduced the distance off shore permitted for fishing from six miles to three miles, Qudra said, adding that fishermen have been subjected to ongoing harassment and provocations.
The Gaza Strip is home to a total of 350 fishermen who own around 700 boats. Around 70,000 Palestinians make their living in the fishing business.
