A group of Palestinian fishing boats that sailed off the shore of Gaza to challenge an Israeli maritime blockade of the coastal enclave drew warning shots from the Israeli Navy on Saturday, Gaza's media reported.
About 20 fishing boats set sail from the Gaza City port toward the maritime border with Israel. The Gaza Health Ministry said no casualties were reported in the incident.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said the navy vessels that engaged the flotilla fired several warning shots in the air only after the boats ignored repeated calls to stop and turn around.
Palestinian witnesses said some of those on board set tires on fire and set them afloat toward the maritime border before they were confronted by four Israeli naval vessels.
Israel imposed a maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip after the Islamist terrorist group Hamas seized control of the enclave in a military coup in 2007. Restrictions were also imposed on the fishing zone off the Gaza coast, currently limited to 6 nautical miles.
Israel and Egypt also maintain tight restrictions on their land crossings with Gaza which have reduced its economy to a state of collapse.
Both Jerusalem and Cairo maintain these measures are necessary to prevent Hamas from smuggling in weapons and terrorists into Gaza.
U.N. and Egyptian-led efforts are underway to mediate a long-term cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, which have fought three wars in the past decade, in 2008, 2012 and 2014. The bid is also meant to tackle humanitarian issues in Gaza and improve its economy.
Adham Abu Selmeya, one of the flotilla organizers, said the event was meant to send a message to all parties involved in the cease-fire efforts.
"We want the world to see the reality of the blockade and the suffering of the people of Gaza, and we will not accept anything less than lifting the blockade once and for all," he said.
On Thursday, Egyptian mediation ended a two-day wave of rocket barrages and airstrikes between Israel and Gaza militant groups.
