Senior Palestinian fishing official says move to extend distance fisherman can operate off the coast of southern Gaza is set to take effect Sunday afternoon.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: APRIL 1, 2016 14:20Palestinians stand atop a boat at Gaza's seaport in Gaza City October 16(photo credit: REUTERS)
Israel is set to ease some of the restrictions placed on fishing operations off the coast of Gaza, AFP cited the head of the Palestinian fishing union as saying Friday.According to remarks by Nizar Ayyash, the move set to take effect on Sunday afternoon will see the distance fishing vessels are permitted to travel extended from six to nine nautical miles off the coast of southern Gaza.He added that in the waters off of northern Gaza the six-mile restriction is due to stay in place.The report cited the Israel's Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) as saying that Israel's Navy had made the decision "to expand fishing south of Wadi Gaza (located south of Gaza City) from six to nine miles" had been made ahead of the coming fishing season.AFP reported that according to COGAT estimates, the decision could lead to a NIS 400,000 annual increase to Gaza's economy.Since 2007, Israel and Egypt have imposed a naval blockade of the coastal Palestinian territory for security reasons.
