Israel on Sunday extended the distance it permits Gaza fishermen to head out to sea along certain parts of the coastline of the enclave, which is run by the Islamist group Hamas.
The fishing zone was expanded from six nautical miles (11 km) to nine (16 km) along Gaza's central and southern shores, a step that Israeli authorities said should result in a bigger catch in deeper waters, where fish are more abundant.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem
Israel, citing security concerns that include fears of Hamas weapons smuggling, maintains a naval blockade of Gaza, and the zone will remain at six nautical miles in northern areas near the Israeli border.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem
Palestinians have complained of frequent Israeli interceptions and arrests of fishermen who have strayed from the zone and of the confiscation of their boats and equipment.
Nizar Ayyash, chairman of the Gaza fishermen's union, called the expansion insufficient, noting that Israel's interim Oslo peace deals with the Palestinians call for a 20 nautical mile (37 km) zone in the Mediterranean.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem
Hamas, which seized the Gaza Strip in 2007 from the rival Fatah movement, and last fought a war with Israel in 2014, rejects the Oslo accords.
Ayyash said there are 4,000 fishermen in Gaza, home to 1.95 million people.
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Slideshow
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem
Fishing boats float at the Seaport of Gaza City.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem
Palestinians start to board a fishing boat.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem
A fishermen cleans a net.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem
Men load a box containing a fish onto a vehicle.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem
A boy carries a fish.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem
Vendors cut up fish at a market.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem
People gather to buy fish at a market.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem
Palestinians arrive to buy fish.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem
Men ride a motorbike rickshaw loaded with boxes of fish.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem