Israeli occupation navy fired Saturday, 17 September 2022 dozens of live bullets and gas canisters on Palestinian fishing boats near the Rafah shore, in the southern part of the besieged Gaza Strip.

Local media sources reported that the Israeli navy fired live bullets and gas canisters excessively toward the Palestinian boats, forcing them to return to the shore without being able to fish to provide for their families.

Israeli occupation continues its illegal practices against Palestinian fishers, which are part of Israel’s unlawful closure procedure that amounts to a prohibited collective punishment under international law.

Israeli occupation navy has carried out 291 attacks against Palestinian fishermen, wounding 16 among them three children, kidnapping 45 fishers including seven children, and confiscating 14 fishing boats since the beginning of 2022, according to Al Mezan Center For Human Rights. 

It is worth mentioning that Israeli occupation authorities still prohibit the entry of essential fishing materials and supplies to the besieged enclave as part of their suffocating siege imposed on Gaza since 2007.