Israeli occupation navy fired Monday, 8 May 2023 live bullets and gas bombs at Palestinian fishing boats in the southern part of the besieged Gaza Strip.

Local Palestinian media sources reported that the IOF stationed in the gunboats fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, and stun grenades toward the Palestinian boats of the fishermen working in the sea of Rafah city, forcing them to return to the shore.

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

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.

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