Gaza fishermen defy naval blockade

20 July 2011 | Al Jazeera

Emboldened by the ‘Freedom Flotilla’s’ attempt to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea, some Gazan fishermen have been trying to sail beyond the three nautical mile limit imposed by Israel.

The Oslo Accords allowed fishermen to work within 20 nautical miles of the coast, but Israel later reduced the limit on the premise that allowing more space will potentially allow Gazans to receive smuggled weapons.

Israel responds to the fishers’ actions with water cannons, and sometimes with live gunfire.

Al Jazeera’s Nicole Johnston reports from Gaza.