Israeli naval forces wound 2 Gaza fishermen: officials

Palestinian officials said the Israeli naval force opened fire early Thursday on Palestinian fishing boats in Gaza waters, wounding two and detaining four others.

The Israel Defense Force said warning shots were fired and that "riot control weapons" were used.

Nizar Ayyash, chairman of the Gaza Fishermen Association, said Israeli naval gunboats surrounded several fishing boats belonging to Gaza fishermen and fired at them.

"Two fishermen were moderately injured and four others were arrested after their boats were searched," said Ayyash, adding the boats were confiscated.

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) confirmed the incident, saying "riot control weapons" were used.

"A motorized fishing boat exceeded the territory allocated to fishing. An Israeli navy force fired into the air as a warning," an IDF statement said. "The navy ship dragged the boat to shore and took four Palestinians for questioning. "

"There was another motor fishing boat exceeding the territory and the military used riot control weapon against it," the statement said, adding they do not know of anyone wounded following this incident.

Israeli naval forces usually arrest fishermen in Gaza waters, take them to Israel for questioning and release them. Ayyash said this is part of the Israeli provocation measures practiced against our fishermen.

At the end of last summer's Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, which lasted for 50 days, Israel and Gaza Hamas-led militants reached a truce agreement brokered by Egypt, which allows Palestinian fishermen to fish in an area of six miles.

Meanwhile, Israel declared on Thursday Kerem Shalom Crossing point on the borders between Israel and southeast Gaza Strip closed for four days due to Jewish holidays, according to the Palestinian liaison office of coordinating goods in Gaza. Endit