Egypt navy shoot at three Gazan fisherman for 'breaching territorial waters'

Egyptian naval authorities shot at three Gazan fishermen as their boat entered waters off the coast of the country's North Sinai governate in the early hours of Friday, The New Arab’s Arab-language sister-site reported.

The vessel came under fire on entering Egyptian territorial waters after a fishing trip, sources told The New Arab.

Palestinian security sources confirmed the incident in a statement to Arabi21, saying the fishing vessel was targeted after it "breached" the maritime border between Egypt and Gaza.

The three fishermen, who come from the same family and live in Deir al-Balah, a city in central Gaza, have been taken into custody by the Egyptian navy, according to Nizar Ayyash, the head of Gaza's fishermen union.

Details of their situation remain unclear.

The Egyptian navy has targeted Gazan fishing boats near the coastal enclave's waters and the country’s North Sinai region in the past.

Read more: Egypt fires on Gaza fishermen, leaving one dead

According to the fishermen's union, around 50,000 Gazans earn their living through fishing.

The heavily populated strip is wedged between Egypt, the Mediterranean and Israel, which imposes strict limits on how far Gazan fishermen can venture out to sea.

Agencies contributed to this report.

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