Israel reduces Gaza fishing zone after arson balloons

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel reduced the fishing zone around the blockaded Gaza Strip on Wednesday in response to fire from the Palestinian territory, according to the military.

In a statement, the army said the fishing zone was cut to 10 nautical miles, down from 15 miles after arson balloons were launched from Gaza into Israel.

The decision came only one week after Israel extended the fishing zone to 15 nautical miles as part of understandings brokered by Egypt, the UN and Qatar.

Israel accuses Palestinian factions of firing incendiary balloons that have caused fires in hundreds of agriculture acres in Israeli communities around the Gaza Strip.