4 Palestinian fishermen arrested by Egypt off Gaza coast

The Egyptian navy yesterday entered Palestinian waters off the Gaza coast and arrested four Palestinian fishermen south of the Gaza Strip, Safa news agency reported.

The news site said that the Egyptian navy crossed the maritime borders, entering 250 metres into Gaza and arrested the fishermen Munit Abu-Silmiyeh and the three brothers Mus’ab, Ra’fat and Khalil Gannan and led them to an unknown location.

In November 2018, the Egyptian navy opened fire at Palestinian fisherman Mustafa Abu-Odeh, 30, and killed him while he was fishing near the border.

VIDEO: Palestine marine forces rescue 6 Egypt fishermen

The Egyptian navy has repeatedly opened fire at Palestinian fishermen after accusing them of entering Egyptian waters.

The latest attack came in the wake of Israel’s expansion of the Gaza fishing zone to between 12 and 20 nautical miles. Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that this is the first time that Israel has expanded the fishing zone to such distance since 2000.

Since 2007, Israel has imposed a strict sea, air and ground siege on the Gaza Strip, limiting Palestinians’ movement and crippling the economy. As a result, unemployment rates have soared.