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Palestinians: Fisheries

Volume 490: debated on Monday 23 March 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on access by Gazan fishermen to (a) Gazan and (b) international waters. (264497)

Gazan fishermen are prevented by the Israeli navy from entering international waters. The Israeli navy also severely limits their access to Gaza’s own territorial waters. We believe that the current limit is enforced at around three miles from the shore.

Many Gazan fishing boats were also destroyed or damaged during Operation Cast Lead. The Israeli authorities say that they are enforcing these limits to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza.