GAZA, Dec 3: An Israeli navy vessel opened fire on a Palestinian boat off the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing a 22-year-old man. The medics said the Palestinian killed in the incident had been on a fishing trip. An Israeli military source said the boat had entered prohibited waters, ignored warning shots and orders to stop and then fired on the Israeli vessel which shot back.

Israel’s navy has largely blockaded Gaza’s coast during much of the five-year-old Palestinian uprising, forcing Palestinian boats to stay close to shore.

Israel says it is a security measure to prevent weapons smuggling by sea and attacks on Israelis. Palestinians say it is collective punishment that has crippled Gaza’s fishing industry.

Most of the restrictions have remained in place despite Israel’s Gaza pullout in September. —Reuters