is a resident of Beit Lahyia, was injured in the right leg and his boat was slightly damaged. According to medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital, his injury was described as moderate.

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.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- A Palestinian boy died Friday afternoon after Israeli gunboats opened fire on his fishing boat and flipped it over off the coast of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Gaza medical services spokesman Adham Abu Salmiya said 15-year-old Ziad Samir Al-Bardawil died after being treated for his injuries at the Abu Yousef An-Najjar Hospital.

Israel's military could not immediately be reached for comment.

When contacted by AFP, an Israeli military spokeswoman said that "this incident has not been reported by the Israeli side."

AFP contributed to this report

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Palestinian fisherman killed