Israel forces fire at Palestinian fishing boats off Gaza coast

Israeli forces shot at Palestinian fishermen in the waters off Gaza on Saturday, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported citing a correspondent.

Israeli navy gunfire and water cannons were directed towards Palestinian boats near Gaza City, Wafa said.

None of the fishermen were known to have been hurt but they had no choice except to head back to shore, the correspondent said.

Israeli forces also shot at fishermen in waters near Khan Yunis and Rafah, other major cities in the besieged enclave.

It's not the first time Palestinian fishermen have been shot at or otherwise targeted by Israel.

While fishing is an integral part of Gaza's economy, which sustains thousands of Palestinian families living in the besieged enclave, Israel has placed tight restrictions on the industry.

As part of its siege of Gaza, which began in 2007 following Hamas's takeover of the strip, Israel limits the areas in which Palestinian fishing boats can operate. Rights groups have slammed the blockade as a form of illegal collective punishment.

Saturday's incident comes just days after Israeli forces launched an air campaign against the besieged enclave, killing at least 33 Palestinians, including children during several days of heavy bombardment.

One Israeli died in retaliatory rocket fire from the enclave.