An Israeli naval vessel Friday fired at a Palestinian boat north-west of the coast of Gaza City, killing a 20-year-old fisherman, hospital officials said, DPA reported.
The Palestinian was hit in the chest, reported the Kamal Odwan hospital in Beit Lahiya, north of Gaza City.
An Israeli army spokeswoman in Tel Aviv told the German Press Agency dpa that the boat had deviated from a designated fishing area and moved further north in the direction of Israel.
She said the Israel Navy first fired waring shots, then at the boat when it did not change direction. The boat did turn around after being fired upon, she said, adding further details were still being checked.
"It's important to me to emphasize that the fishermen know exactly where they are allowed to fish and this is not the first time that this is happening," said the spokeswoman.
Gaza fishermen however have repeatedly complained that the yield from the designated fishing areas is highly limited and is far from meeting the needs of the strip's 1.5 million inhabitants.