Palestinian vessel opened fire on an Israeli naval boat
A Palestinian vessel opened fire on an Israeli naval boat early Saturday when intercepted in no-go waters off the Gaza Strip. Palestinian gunfire was also aimed at the Israeli boat from Gaza’s shore. Return Israeli fire sank the Palestinian vessel.
Palestinian spokesmen claim it was a fishing boat and the single 22-year old man aboard was killed in the incident. The Israeli navy reports sighting several people on deck, and has no information on casualties.
DEBKAfile adds: The incident fits in with the general free-for-all reigning on the Gaza Strip since Israel pulled out. Terrorists and war materiel flow in from every direction. The US-brokered Israel-Palestinian-Egyptian accords which enabled the reopening of the international Rafah crossing – supposedly monitored by European inspectors – exist only on paper. Israel has lost security control over the crossing, while Egyptian police border guards place no limits on Palestinian smuggling through the Philadelphi border strip they are committed to guard. The Israeli navy reports increasing smuggling attempts of terrorists and weapons by sea into the Gaza Strip.
In the three-and-half months since Israel withdrew from Gaza, attacks against Israel from this territory is reverting to the status quo ante: The IDF counts 22 explosive devices, 8 intercepted infiltrations to Israel, 75 shooting attacks and at least 170 missile and mortar salvos.
Source: DEBKAfile.
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