Israeli occupation warships attacked Palestinian fishermen offshore northern Gaza while fishing today’s morning, Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

Israeli warships attacked Palestinian fishermen offshore Beit Lahia town, north of Gaza, and fired bullets and toxic tear gas bombs at them, forcing them to leave the sea, Palestinian media sources reported.

Under the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, Palestinian fishermen are subjected to daily attacks by Israeli warships stationed several nautical miles offshore Gaza.

In 2022, the Israeli occupation navy carried out 291 attacks against Palestinian fishermen, wounding 16 Palestinians including 3 children, kidnapping 45 others including seven children, and seizing 14 fishing boats, Al-Mezan Center For Human Rights reported. 

It’s noteworthy that the Israeli occupation has been prohibiting the entry of essential fishing materials and supplies to the besieged Gaza since 2007 as part of their suffocating siege imposed on the city.