Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip are risking their lives by venturing into Israeli-controlled waters as the territory’s fishing industry collapses under the impact of war and a long-standing maritime blockade.
Along the coast near Khan Younis, fishermen continue to take small boats into the sea despite the threat of Israeli naval patrols and limited fishing zones, hoping to catch enough fish to feed their families or sell in local markets.
The ongoing conflict and restrictions have severely damaged Gaza’s fishing sector, once a key source of income for thousands of Palestinians. Many fishing boats and port facilities have been destroyed, forcing fishermen to rely on damaged equipment and makeshift vessels to continue working.
Local fishermen say they are often restricted to areas close to shore, where fish stocks are scarce, leaving them with small catches that barely cover daily needs. Under the Israeli naval blockade, fishing activities are tightly controlled and vessels that exceed permitted limits risk being intercepted or fired upon.
Despite the danger, many fishermen say they have little choice but to return to the sea as food shortages and economic collapse deepen across the enclave. The sea has become one of the few remaining sources of food and income for families struggling to survive the war’s aftermath.
For Gaza’s fishing communities, every trip to the Mediterranean now carries the risk of injury, arrest or death, highlighting the worsening humanitarian conditions in the coastal territory.