GAZA / PNN /

Fishermen in Gaza are risking their lives to provide for their families, despite the widespread devastation caused by Israel's war on the besieged enclave, which has destroyed a significant portion of fishing boats and equipment.

The war has also led to the destruction of Gaza’s sole fishing port, depriving fishermen of their livelihood since the outbreak of hostilities. Some have even lost their lives while attempting to continue their trade.

Fishing is one of Gaza’s primary industries, with much of the catch exported to the West Bank. However, Israel has imposed strict restrictions on fishing operations and the areas where fishermen are allowed to operate, exploiting the sector as a tool of economic pressure.

Deliberate Targeting

Khaled Abu Lahia, a fisherman from Gaza, said the war obliterated his fishing boat, stripping him of his primary source of income. His life, he explained, has been turned upside down due to the deliberate targeting by the Israeli navy.

"Since the beginning of the war, I have been unable to fish regularly. Occasionally, I would venture into the sea with some of my colleagues to catch small amounts of fish," Abu Lahia said.

"We faced gunfire from Israeli warships and were chased every time we attempted to fish," he added, highlighting that Israel aims to deprive Gaza’s fishermen of their livelihood as part of its collective punishment policy.

Abu Lahia recounted narrowly escaping death when Israeli forces opened heavy fire on him and his companions. One of his fellow fishermen was killed, while another was arrested, even though they were fishing near the shore.

Struggling to Survive

Fisherman Khalil Al-Aqra described the immense difficulties Gaza’s fishermen endure to support their families. "Many of us have been reduced to beggars due to the inability to work and the loss of our boats and fishing nets," he said.

Al-Aqra noted that most fishermen have resorted to primitive and makeshift methods to continue fishing, as their equipment was destroyed in repeated Israeli attacks.

"We’ve been forced to use rudimentary tools and craft small fishing boats from any floating object we could find. The catch is minimal, and only a few fishermen can still practice the trade," he explained.

Complete Destruction

Zakaria Bakr, head of Gaza’s Fishermen’s Committees, said that Israel’s war on Gaza has prevented 4,500 fishermen from working.

"Israel exploited the war to systematically destroy Gaza’s fishing sector. They bombed the port in the early days of the war and wiped out all large and small boats docked there, in addition to those in central and southern Gaza," Bakr said.

He revealed that Israeli forces destroyed around 600 boats and 120 storage units containing fishing nets and equipment. The Israeli navy also deliberately targeted the engines of fishing boats and ice factories essential for preserving the catch.

According to Bakr, approximately 150 fishermen have been killed by Israeli gunfire during the war, including 50 who were shot while fishing at sea. Israeli forces continue to target fishermen, even when they operate within a limited 500-meter fishing zone.

The local official accused Israel of deliberately targeting the fishing sector to prevent Gaza’s fishermen from resuming their work. Given the dire and exceptional circumstances Gazans are facing due to the war, he said, reviving the fishing industry remains an uphill battle.

Source: Sky News Arabia