12 nautical miles from the coast !

Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Washington, D.C., September 28, 1995

Article XIV

Security along the Coastline to the Sea of Gaza

1. Maritime Activity Zones

a. Extent of Maritime Activity Zones

The sea off the coast of the Gaza Strip will be divided into three Maritime Activity Zones, K, L, and M as shown on map No. 8 attached to this Agreement, and as detailed below:

(1) Zones K and M

(a) Zone K extends to 20 nautical miles in the sea from the coast in the northern part of the sea of Gaza and 1.5 nautical miles wide southwards.

(b) Zone M extends to 20 nautical miles in the sea from the coast, and one

(1) nautical mile wide from the Egyptian waters.

(c) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, Zones K and M will be closed areas, in which navigation will be restricted to activity of the Israel Navy.

(2) Zone L

(a) Zone L bounded to the south by Zone M and to the north by Zone K extends 20 nautical miles into the sea from the coast.

(b) Zone L will be open for fishing, recreation and economic activities, in accordance with the following provisions:

(i) Fishing boats will not exit Zone L into the open sea and may have engines of up to a limit of 25 HP for outboard motors and up to a maximum speed of 18 knots for inboard motors. Four months after the signing of this Agreement the Maritime Coordination and Cooperation Center (hereinafter "the MC"), as referred to in paragraph 3 below, will consider raising the limit for outboard motors up to 40 hp. in accordance with the types of the boats. The boats will neither carry weapons nor ammunition nor will they fish with the use of explosives.

(ii) Recreational boats will be permitted to sail up to a distance of 6 nautical miles from the coast unless, in special cases, otherwise agreed within the Maritime Coordination and Cooperation Center as referred to in paragraph 3 below. Recreational boats may have engines up to a limit of 10 horsepower. Marine motor bikes and water jets will neither be introduced into Zone L nor be operated therein.

(iii) Yachts may sail up to a distance of 6 nautical miles from the coast at a maximum speed of 15 knots.

(iv) Foreign vessels entering Zone L will not approach closer than 12 nautical miles from the coast except as regards activities covered in paragraph 4 below.

b. General Rules of the Maritime Activity Zones

(1) The aforementioned fishing boats and recreational boats and their skippers sailing in Zone L shall carry licenses issued by the Council, the format and standards of which will be coordinated through the JSC.

(2) The boats shall have identification markings determined by the Council. The Israeli authorities will be notified through the JSC of these identification markings.

(3) Residents of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip fishing in Zone L will carry Israeli licenses and vessel permits.

(4) As part of Israel's responsibilities for safety and security within the three Maritime Activity Zones, Israel Navy vessels may sail throughout these zones, as necessary and without limitations, and may take any measures necessary against vessels suspected of being used for terrorist activities or for smuggling arms, ammunition, drugs, goods, of for any other illegal activity. The Palestinian Police will be notified of such actions, and the ensuing procedures will be coordinated through the MC.

2. The Palestinian Coastal Police

a. The Palestinian Coastal police (hereinafter the "PCP") may function in Zone L, up to a distance of 6 nautical miles from the coast. In special cases, it may also exercise control over Palestinian fishing boats fishing in Zone L in an additional area of 6 nautical miles, up to the limit of 12 nautical miles from the coastline, after clearance and coordination through the MC.

b. The PCP shall have up to 10 boats, with a displacement of up to 50 tons and maximum speed of up to 25 knots

c. The boats shall carry weapons of up to a 7.62 mm caliber.

d. Boats of the PCP shall fly a Palestinian flag, have police identification markings and shall operate identification lights.

e. The two sides shall cooperate on all sea matters, including mutual help at sea, and pollution and environmental issues.

f. The boats of the Palestinian Coastal Police will initially use the Gaza Wharf.

g. Boats belonging to Israelis are solely subject to the control, authority and jurisdiction of Israel and the Israel Navy.

3. Maritime Coordination and Cooperation Center

a. The MC shall function as part of the JSC, to coordinate civil maritime activities and coastal police affairs off the coast of the Gaza Strip.

b. The MC shall function within the relevant DCO, and will determine its own rules of procedure.

c. The MC shall function 24 hours a day.

d. The MC shall be staffed by members of the Israel Navy and the PCP, each providing a liaison officer and an assistant liaison officer.

e. A direct radio telephone link (hot line) shall be set up between the Israel Navy vessels and the PCP vessels.

f. The role of the MC is to coordinate:

(1) assistance between the PCP and the Israel Navy as may be necessary to deal with incidents arising at sea;

(2) PCP training involving the use of firearms;

(3) joint activities between the PCP and the Israel Navy when preplanning is operationally necessary;

(4) radio contact between PCP and Israel Navy vessels in the event that "hot line" communication between vessels of the two sides has not been established;

(5) search and rescue operations; and

(6) maritime activities related to an agreed port, when established in the Gaza Strip.

4. Gaza Strip Port

a. Plans for the establishment of a port in the Gaza Strip in accordance with the DOP, its location, and related matters of mutual interest and concern, as well as licenses for vessels and crews sailing on international voyages will be discussed and agreed upon between Israel and the Council taking into consideration the provisions of Article XXX (Passages) of this Agreement. To this end a special committee will be established by the two sides.

b. The Gaza Sea Port Authority referred to in the DOP shall act on behalf of the Council in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

c. Pending construction of a port, arrangements for entry and exit of vessels passengers and goods by sea, as well as licenses for vessels and crews sailing on international voyages in transit to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, shall be through Israeli ports in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations applicable in Israel and in accordance with the provisions of Annex V.

Hebrew Translation