Israel to temporarily expand Gaza fishing zone

Israel will expand the area off the southern coast of Gaza where Palestinians can fish ahead of the fall fishing season, says the Defense Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.

For two months from November 1, fishermen in the southern Gaza Strip will be able to sail out to a distance of nine miles (17 kilometers) from the shore, before the limit reverts back to the current six-mile (11-kilometer) limit that is normally in effect.

Gaza fishermen as they start fishing off the coast of the Gaza Strip on April 3, 2016. (AFP/Mahmud Hams)

The extension does not apply to fisherman in Gaza’s north, COGAT says.

A similar extension was granted by COGAT in April for the spring fishing season. The two temporary expansions are expected to increase the fishermen’s total revenue by “approximately NIS 1 million ($260,000),” COGAT says.

— Judah Ari Gross