Israeli forces target Palestinian farmers, fishermen in Gaza Strip

Israeli forces opened on Monday machine gun fire at Palestinian farmers and fishermen in Gaza Strip but no casualties were reported, local sources said.

Israeli forces stationed along the border line east of Khan Younis fired at Palestinian farmers and houses, causing panic among children.

Israeli gunboats randomly opened fire at fishermen off Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, forcing the fishermen to leave to other safe areas near the shore.

Israel had imposed a limit of three nautical miles on fishing in waters off the Gaza shore until last August. Israeli forces have frequently targeted Palestinian boats, well inside the radius.

Under a ceasefire agreement reached between Israelis and Palestinians in August 2014, Israel agreed to immediately expand the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles off the shore.

Palestinian fishermen, however, say that the Israeli navy opens fire before they reach the agreed limit.
Source: MENA