Israel restricts fishing zones in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon have ordered restrictions on areas Palestinian fishermen are allowed to operate in, according to an Israeli radio report. Palestinian fishermen must now fish within a three-mile zone away from the Gaza Strip’s coastline, instead of six, following two rockets launched into southern Israel by Palestinian militants on Thursday. Netanyahu has meanwhile agreed to re-open the Beit-Hanoun crossing for humanitarian aid only, while Kerem Shalom crossing remains closed following the attack. Israel’s Prime Minister called on Hamas to bear responsibility for rockets entering Israel, although hardline Salafist group The Guardians of Jerusalem claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on Thursday. Hamas has increasingly struggled to please different Salafist factions in Gaza. Netanyahu has meanwhile threatened military action on the Gaza Strip if “escalations” continue. Palestinian militants fired two rockets into southern Israel on Thursday to protest against the visit of US President Barack Obama. No one was injured.