Israel says it is expanding the permitted fishing zone off Gaza's coast, the latest sign that a cease-fire deal with Palestinian militants is moving forward.
COGAT, the Israeli defense body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs, said Tuesday that it had expanded the fishing zone to 15 nautical miles (28 kilometers).
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Israel says it is expanding the permitted fishing zone off Gaza's coast, the latest sign that a cease-fire deal with Palestinian militants is moving forward.
The deal calls for economic incentives to ameliorate the dire conditions in the Gaza Strip, including loosening restrictions on movement and allowing cash for civil servant salaries and Qatari-funded fuel shipments into the enclave. Israel imposed a blockade with Egypt's help after Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007.
Palestinian fishermen unload their catch from boats after an overnight night fishing trip in the Gaza seaport Tuesday, May. 21, 2019. Israel extended the permitted fishing zone along the Mediterranean coast on Tuesday to a maximum of 15 nautical miles up from the previous limit of six nautical miles. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)
Palestinian fishermen unload their catch from boats after a night fishing trip in the Gaza seaport, Tuesday, May. 21, 2019. Israel extended the permitted fishing zone along the Mediterranean coast on Tuesday to a maximum of 15 nautical miles up from the previous limit of six nautical miles. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)
Palestinian fishermen unload their catch from boats after a night fishing trip, in the Gaza Seaport, Tuesday, May. 21, 2019. Israel extended the permitted fishing zone along the Mediterranean coast on Tuesday to a maximum of 15 nautical miles up from the previous limit of six nautical miles. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)
The cease-fire agreement, brokered earlier this month by the U.N., Egypt and Qatar, ended the worst bout of violence between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers since a devastating 2014 war.
Palestinian fishermen unload their catch from boats after a night fishing trip, in the Gaza seaport, Tuesday, May. 21, 2019. Israel extended the permitted fishing zone along the Mediterranean coast on Tuesday to a maximum of 15 nautical miles up from the previous limit of six nautical miles. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)
The deal calls for economic incentives to ameliorate the dire conditions in the Gaza Strip, including loosening restrictions on movement and allowing cash for civil servant salaries and Qatari-funded fuel shipments into the enclave. Israel imposed a blockade with Egypt's help after Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007.
Palestinian fishermen unload their catch from boats after a night fishing trip, in the Gaza seaport, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. Israel extended the permitted fishing zone along the Mediterranean coast on Tuesday to a maximum of 15 nautical miles up from the previous limit of six nautical miles. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)
Palestinian fishermen unload their catch from boats after an overnight night fishing trip in the Gaza seaport Tuesday, May. 21, 2019. Israel extended the permitted fishing zone along the Mediterranean coast on Tuesday to a maximum of 15 nautical miles up from the previous limit of six nautical miles. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)
Palestinian fishermen unload their catch from boats after a night fishing trip in the Gaza seaport, Tuesday, May. 21, 2019. Israel extended the permitted fishing zone along the Mediterranean coast on Tuesday to a maximum of 15 nautical miles up from the previous limit of six nautical miles. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)
Palestinian fishermen unload their catch from boats after a night fishing trip, in the Gaza Seaport, Tuesday, May. 21, 2019. Israel extended the permitted fishing zone along the Mediterranean coast on Tuesday to a maximum of 15 nautical miles up from the previous limit of six nautical miles. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)