Israel reduces Gaza fishing zone after rocket fire

JERUSALEM

Israel has reduced the Gaza Strip’s fishing zone in response to rocket fire from the Palestinian territory, according to the military on Tuesday.

In a statement, the army said the fishing zone will be cut to six nautical miles, down from 15 miles after a rocket was launched from the seaside enclave late Monday.

The Israeli army accuses Palestinian group The Islamic Jihad of carrying out the attack, a claim denied by the Gaza-based group.

“This [Israeli] accusation is a fabrication through which the occupation seeks to achieve certain goals, including inciting against the Islamic Jihad,” the Palestinian group said in a statement.

Tuesday’s decision came almost a month after the Israeli government increased the territory’s fishing zone to 15 nautical miles, in which Palestinian group Hamas says was part of understandings brokered by Egypt, the UN and Qatar.