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GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A Palestinian teenager was shot and injured by Israeli naval forces off the coast of the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday evening.

Witnesses told Ma’an that the 19-year-old, whose identity remained unknown, was sailing off the coast of Beit Lahiya when Israeli naval forces opened fire on the teen’s boat.

Medical sources reported that the teen was injured in his leg.

An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports.

As part of Israel's blockade of the coastal enclave since 2007, the Israeli army, citing security concerns, requires Palestinian fishermen to work within a limited "designated fishing zone," the exact limits of which are decided by the Israeli authorities and have historically fluctuated.

The al-Mezan Center for Human Rights reported in May that since the beginning of the year, Israel had seized five fishing boats, detained 14 Palestinian fishermen, shot and injured four, while two fisherman have been killed.