'Israeli' forces open fire, arrest three Palestinian fishermen off Gaza coast

The Palestinian Fishermen’s Syndicate announced on Tuesday that 'Israeli' military boats arrested three Palestinian fishermen while they were working off the coast of Gaza City.

In a brief statement, the syndicate said the arrests were accompanied by direct gunfire from 'Israeli' forces, marking a new escalation against this group of workers in the Gaza Strip.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of repeated violations against Palestinian fishermen, who frequently face restrictions on working freely in Gaza’s waters. Such actions threaten their livelihoods and increase economic pressures on local communities.

The syndicate highlighted that targeting fishermen during their daily work constitutes a violation of international law and labor rights. It called on the international community to intervene to protect fishermen and ensure they are not subjected to attacks or arbitrary arrests.

The arrests come amid rising maritime tensions off Gaza, as 'Israeli' authorities continue to restrict fishermen’s movement and enforce designated maritime zones. These restrictions make it increasingly difficult for fishermen to earn a living, negatively impacting Gaza’s local economy.

The syndicate stressed that 'Israeli' practices against fishermen go beyond arrests, including the repeated confiscation of fishing equipment and boats, as well as gunfire, reflecting an ongoing policy to restrict fishermen’s work and threaten their livelihoods.

No official statement has yet been issued by 'Israeli' authorities explaining the reasons for the arrests. Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities are monitoring the condition of the three fishermen and providing legal and medical support as needed, while documenting the violations to strengthen Palestinian positions before the international community.

These incidents occur amid continuous pressures on Gaza’s civilian population, with fishermen among those directly affected by 'Israeli' maritime restrictions, contributing to additional food and economic crises in the territory.

The Palestinian Fishermen’s Syndicate continues to call on human rights and international organizations to pressure 'Israel' to end systematic violations against fishermen and protect their right to work freely and safely in Gaza’s territorial waters.