Human rights activists on-board a Palestinian fishing boat have filmed the Israeli navy firing machine guns at unarmed Palestinian fishing boats in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of the Gaza Strip.

“When at a distance, estimated by our fishing boat’s captain, of 7 nautical miles from the coast, we dropped our fishing nets and started fishing the Israeli warships rushed to reach our position.” said Vittorio Arrigoni, one of the International Observers present on the fishing boat.
“One of the warships positioned at a distance less than 200 metres alongside of our fishing boat, opened fire in our direction at least 4 times during the day. It was intimidating fire directed into the water, but some bursts almost touched the hull of our boat. A cannon shot almost reached us. Making attempt of obtaining a radio contact was useless. Soldiers on the Israeli warship ordered, with the use of megaphones, the area evacuation. And after that they were shooting. Sometimes they were shooting before having ordered. Once they shooted to our fishing nets and tried to damaged it sailing directly on them.”

In another more serious incident, at around 17:15 on Wednesday, 10 September 2008. An Israeli gunboat attacked a large Palestinian fishing boat (20 meters in length and 8 meters in width), owned by Rajab Muhammad Abdelmenem al-Hissi. The gunboat hit the rear side of the fishing boat in mid-sea nearly 6 nm opposite to Gaza seaport. The fishing boat was severely damaged but no injuries were reported.
Picture Link: Gunboat Rams Gaza Fishing Boat

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