Gaza fishermen (illustrative)
Gaza fishermen (illustrative)Israel news photo: Flash 90

The Hamas terrorist rulers of Gaza claimed over the weekend that Israel's Navy killed a local fisherman after he attempted to sail past the government's maritime blockade of the region.

The 20-year-old man was identified by medical personnel at Kamal Udwan Hospital in Jabaliya as Mohammad Bakhr, according to media reports. A separate report by the Palestinian Authority-linked Ma'an news agency, quoting hospital spokesman Adham Abu Selmieyah, identified him as Mansour Baker.

The incident allegedly took place near the As-Sudanieyah area, along the northern Gaza coast, medics said.

An IDF spokesperson explained that Bakhr was in restricted waters and heading towards Israel: “We fired warning shots to turn him back, and when he did not respond, we fired at the boat. We are checking the claim that there was a casualty.”

The boat was ordered to return to the three-nautical-mile (5 km) fishing limit, and according to Ma'an, the IDF spokesperson said the boat returned to the region after the shots were fired.

Israel has often explained that its navy is forced to patrol the Gaza coast to prevent terrorists from smuggling weapons, explosives and other contraband into the region.