Gaza: Eighteen days have elapsed since the enforcement of the ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, but this barely did much to alter the grim reality facing fishermen in the Gaza Strip, who were barred from pursuing their livelihood since the onset of the Israeli offensive up to the present time.

According to Qatar News Agency, nearly 5,000 fishermen were prevented from entering Gaza seaport to assume their work throughout the months-long aggression, which is a critical source of income for thousands of fishermen, thereby aggravating their economic crises. The key elements of this profession remain unaltered from the situation before the Israeli onslaught.

Prior to October 7, the Israeli occupation army imposed numerous measures and intimidation practices that compromised this work. Fishing vessels congregated and docked at Gaza’s seaport were not spared from the Israeli devastation, which included relentless bombardment and incineration that obliterated most fishermen’s boats and storage facilities.

In his remarks to QNA, head of the Fishermen Union Committees in Gaza, Zakaria Bakr, highlighted that it would take long years and massive potential for the fishing sector to recover from the fallout of decimation caused by the Israeli aggression. He indicated the foremost requirements entail allowing the delivery of fishing equipment and lifting the restrictions imposed on fishermen.

Bakr stated that the Israeli onslaught systematically decimated the entire Gaza seaport and facilities, with the Israeli army shelling fishing boats, crippling marine fishing, and bringing it to a standstill. He added that approximately 95 percent of large-sized boats, as well as around 95 smaller boats and nearly 120 fishermen’s storage facilities, ice factories, and all civilian infrastructure within the maritime port, were destroyed, leaving small boats docked at Deir Al Balah beach and south of Khan Younis.

Bakr emphasized that Israel continues to prevent fishermen from entering the seas, despite their constant attempts to practice their job amid high stakes and impending danger.

Upon stumbling on his destroyed fishing boat in Gaza seaport, one fisherman told QNA that fishermen are striving to return, since this job is their only source of sustenance. However, Israeli naval vessels prevent them from doing so and continue firing at them. He called for either deploying manufacturing materials to repair the boats or delivering well-equipped ones.

Another fisherman highlighted that the pre-war cost of fishing boats was high, but it has now become much higher with exorbitant prices, indicating that work will be impossible amid the decimation inflicted upon fishing boats.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Israeli genocidal war has inflicted massive devastation upon the Palestinian infrastructure, including various sectors. A government report recently indicated that the direct loss caused by the aggression exceeded USD50 billion in multiple sectors, including economic, agricultural, industrial, and commercial facilities.