Israeli gunboats fire at Palestinian fishing boats

[ 23/12/2010 - 10:10 AM ]

RAFAH, (PIC)-- Israeli gunboats opened heavy machinegun fire at Palestinian fishing boats off the southern Gaza Strip coast of Rafah on Wednesday night, press sources reported.

The sources said that the gunboats repeatedly targeted the fishing boats at a close distance, forcing fishermen to return to the beach fearing for their lives.

Israeli navy boats routinely chase and harass Palestinian fishermen along the shoreline of the Strip, one of whom was killed last Friday when his boat capsized while trying to escape the Israeli navy chase off Rafah coast.

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes were seen increasing their flights over the Strip, Palestinian security sources reported, warning that they might be preparing for attacking certain targets.

The sources told the PIC that reconnaissance planes, army choppers, and other types of warplanes were intensifying their over flights on Wednesday evening.

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