IDF navy sinks Palestinian boat
Fishing boat enters prohibited zone, ignores navy ship's warning to stop, fires at ship; soldiers fire back, sink boat; 1 Palestinian killed; IDF: Boat apparently attempting to carry out terror attack
Palestinian medics reported that a 22-year-old Palestinian, who was on the boar, was killed in the incident.
A 10-meter (30-feet) fishing vessel, which made its way from Egypt toward the Gaza Strip, entered prohibited waters. An IDF navy ship, which patrols the area on a regular basis, noticed the boat and ordered it to return to the permitted zone.
The Palestinian boat then opened fire toward the navy ship, which was also fired at from the shore. The soldiers shot in order to warn the vessel to stop, and when it continued to move in the prohibited zone, they fired at the boat, causing it to sink.
IDF: Attempt to carry out terror attack
The IDF launched an investigation into the incident, which was defined as unusual. The initial estimations were that the boat was trying to execute a terror attack on an IDF vessel or attempting to smuggle weapons.
Palestinian sources rejected the IDF's claims, saying "the fishermen on the fishing boat had no intention of on smuggling weapons or carrying out a terror attack."
The sources said that the navy ship suddenly opened fire at the boat without any warning, killing a Palestinian man.
Palestinian fishermen evacuated the body to a hospital.
A similar incident occurred three weeks ago off the Gaza Strip shores. IDF navy ships fired at a Palestinian fishing boat which entered prohibited waters and ignored warnings to stop.
The Palestinian boat pursued its sail, hitting one of the ships three times The Palestinians reported that a 17-year-old boy, who was on the boat, was critically wounded following the fire.
In the meantime, a Palestinian was killed from IDF fire Friday night, after IDF soldiers shot at three Palestinians who crossed the border fence in southern Gaza Strip. The two other Palestinians were lightly to moderately injured.
Palestinians claimed that the three tried to infiltrate Israel in order to look for work.
Ali Waked and AP contributed to the report
