Taghribnews (TNA) - Israeli forces target Palestinian boats attempting to break Gaza siege

Israeli navy has targeted a number of Palestinian boats amid efforts to break the siege off Gaza coast.

The incident took place on Monday after some 55 boats set sail from the Gaza port in the northern Gaza Strip and headed towards the nearest point of the sea border with the occupied territories to challenge the Israeli blockade.

There have been no reports available on casualties yet.

Dozens of Palestinians also clashed with Israeli forces on the Gaza beach, prompting the Tel Aviv regime’s troops to fire a barrage of tear gas to disperse the Palestinians.

The Gaza Strip has been under an inhumane Israeli siege since 2007 and witnessed three wars since 2008. The blockade has also causeda decline in living standards as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and poverty.

Tensions have been running high near the Gaza fence since March 30, which marked the start of a series of protests, dubbed “The Great March of Return.” Palestinian protesters demand the right to return for those driven out of their homeland.

The Gaza clashes reached their peak on May 14, the eve of the 70th anniversary of Nakba Day (Day of Catastrophe), which coincided this year with the US embassy relocation from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem al-Quds.

Israeli fire has so far taken the lives of more than 170 Palestinians since March 30.

KD