Israel lifted a ban on Friday on Palestinian fishing boats operating off Gaza, an Israeli military body said, ending a measure imposed during a deadly flare-up of violence earlier this month. The fishing union in Gaza confirmed the lifting of the ban, saying the new limits imposed by Israel were 12 nautical miles in the southern half of Gaza, and six nautical miles in the north.
The Israeli navy often fires on Gazan boats it says have exceeded the limits. Zakaria Bakr, an official with the fishing union, said a number of boats began fishing Friday, the first in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The measure is seen as a first step in implementing a fragile truce meant to avert a new conflict between the army and Palestinian militants.
"Friday, the Gaza Strip fishing zone is expected to reopen at a range of up to 12 nautical miles," COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for the Palestinian territories, said. "Application of the measure is conditioned on the Gaza Strip fishermen respecting the agreements." Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad fired hundreds of rockets at Israel on Saturday and Sunday, with the army striking dozens of targets in Gaza in response.