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Israel tightens Gaza fishing curbs after new fire balloons
JERUSALEM, May 29, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Israel announced Wednesday it had
tightened restrictions on Palestinian fishing off the blockaded Gaza Strip
after more balloons fitted with firebombs were floated from the enclave into
its territory.
The zone it allows Gaza fishermen was reduced to a maximum of 10 nautical
miles from 15, COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry unit that oversees such
regulations, said.
The move came just days after Israel restored the fishing limit to the 15
nautical mile maximum after a previous cut in response to fire balloons last
week.
Palestinians in Gaza have frequently floated balloons fitted with
firebombs over the border to damage Israeli property and have succeeded in
setting fire to large areas of farmland.
Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, run by Islamist movement Hamas,
have fought three wars since 2008.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1338 hrs