IDF reiterates Palestinians can’t enter sea along Gaza coast; in practice, prohibition is against entry to deep waters

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Palestinians gather at the beach near a makeshift displacement camp in Gaza City to escape the heat and tents, as smoke billows in the distance amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas on June 8, 2025. (Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
Palestinians gather at the beach near a makeshift displacement camp in Gaza City to escape the heat and tents, as smoke billows in the distance amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas on June 8, 2025. (Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)

The IDF reiterates that Palestinians are not allowed to enter the sea along the entire coast of the Gaza Strip, a restriction that has been in place since the beginning of the war on October 7, 2023.

“We remind you that strict security restrictions have been imposed in the maritime area adjacent to the Strip, and entry into the sea is prohibited,” says the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee in a post on X.

“The IDF will respond to any violation of these restrictions,” he says.

“We urge fishermen, swimmers, and divers to refrain from entering the sea. Entering the sea along the Strip exposes you to danger,” the warning adds.

The vast majority of the Palestinian population in Gaza is concentrated in areas on the coast, with tent camps set up on the beaches.

The IDF has not enforced the restriction against Palestinians seeking to cool off in the waters on the beach, but only those heading out deeper into the sea.

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