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Entering Gaza's sea is forbidden but desperate fishermen risk their lives to get food | CNN

Gaza Fishermen Battle Starvation Amid Israeli Blockade: A Desperate Struggle at Sea

In the choppy waters off the Gaza Strip, where the Mediterranean Sea meets a horizon of uncertainty, fishermen like Ahmed al-Masri set out before dawn, their weathered boats creaking under the weight of hope and desperation. For generations, the sea has been Gaza's lifeline, providing sustenance and a semblance of livelihood to its coastal communities. But today, that lifeline is fraying, strangled by an Israeli-imposed blockade that has turned the once-bountiful waters into a zone of peril and scarcity. This blockade, enforced since 2007 following Hamas's takeover of the territory, restricts fishing zones to a mere fraction of what they once were, leaving families on the brink of starvation and malnutrition rampant among the population.

Ahmed, a 45-year-old father of five, embodies the plight of Gaza's estimated 4,000 fishermen. Each morning, he navigates his small vessel into the permitted zone, which Israel limits to between 6 and 15 nautical miles from shore, depending on security assessments. Beyond that invisible line, Israeli naval patrols loom, ready to fire warning shots or even seize boats that stray too far. "The sea used to give us everything," Ahmed recounts, his voice hoarse from years of shouting over waves and engines. "Now, it's like begging from a miser. We come back with empty nets, and our children go to bed hungry."

The blockade's impact is profound and multifaceted. Originally intended to prevent weapons smuggling and militant activities, it has evolved into a tool that critics argue collectively punishes Gaza's 2.3 million residents. Fishermen report that the restricted zones are overfished and depleted, with larger species like tuna and sardines migrating to deeper waters beyond reach. Catches have plummeted by more than 60% in the past decade, according to local fisheries unions, forcing many to rely on meager aid distributions or turn to alternative, often dangerous, means of survival.

Malnutrition stalks the shores of Gaza like a silent predator. The United Nations has warned that over half of Gaza's population faces acute food insecurity, with children particularly vulnerable. In coastal villages like Khan Younis and Rafah, where fishing families cluster in ramshackle homes, signs of deprivation are everywhere: sunken eyes, bloated bellies, and stunted growth. A recent report from the World Health Organization highlights a surge in cases of severe acute malnutrition, exacerbated by the blockade's restrictions on imports, including fuel for boats and spare parts for engines. "We're not just fishing for food; we're fishing to stay alive," says Fatima, Ahmed's wife, as she sorts through a paltry haul of small fish, barely enough for one meal.

The human stories behind these statistics paint a vivid picture of resilience amid despair. Take the case of young Omar, a 22-year-old who inherited his father's boat after a tragic incident at sea. In 2023, Omar's father was shot and wounded by Israeli forces while allegedly approaching the boundary line. Such encounters are not uncommon; human rights groups document dozens of incidents annually, including arrests, confiscations, and fatalities. Omar now ventures out with a mix of fear and defiance, his boat patched with whatever materials he can scrounge. "Every trip could be my last," he admits, "but what choice do we have? The land is besieged, the sky is watched, and the sea is our only escape—yet it's chained."

Broader economic ramifications ripple through Gaza's society. The fishing industry, once contributing significantly to the local economy, now teeters on collapse. Markets in Gaza City, once teeming with fresh seafood, now display imported canned goods at inflated prices, unaffordable for most. Unemployment among fishermen hovers around 70%, pushing many into informal labor or migration attempts that often end in tragedy. The blockade also hampers humanitarian efforts; aid convoys face rigorous inspections at border crossings like Kerem Shalom, delaying deliveries of essential nutrients and medical supplies.

International observers and advocacy groups have long decried the blockade as a violation of international law, arguing it amounts to collective punishment under the Geneva Conventions. Israel maintains that the restrictions are necessary for security, pointing to past incidents where fishing boats were used to smuggle arms or launch attacks. "We allow humanitarian access and adjust fishing zones based on threat levels," an Israeli defense official stated in a recent briefing, emphasizing that the measures protect both Israeli civilians and Gaza's population from escalation.

Yet, on the ground, the narrative is one of unrelenting hardship. In the makeshift clinics dotting Gaza's coastline, doctors like Dr. Nadia Khalil treat a steady stream of patients suffering from anemia, vitamin deficiencies, and wasting diseases. "The blockade isn't just about borders; it's about bodies," she explains. "Children who should be playing on the beach are instead fighting for calories. We've seen a 40% increase in malnutrition-related admissions since the latest restrictions tightened."

Efforts to alleviate the crisis have been sporadic and insufficient. Initiatives by organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) provide training in sustainable fishing techniques and distribute equipment, but these are hampered by import bans on certain technologies deemed dual-use. Local cooperatives attempt to pool resources, sharing fuel and repairing boats collectively, but the underlying constraints remain. Fishermen have even resorted to innovative, if risky, methods: using solar-powered engines to bypass fuel shortages or diving manually in shallow waters to gather shellfish.

The psychological toll is equally devastating. Many fishermen speak of a pervasive sense of entrapment, where the vast sea mocks their confinement. "We see the world out there—ships from everywhere—but we're stuck in this tiny pond," Ahmed laments. Nights are filled with the sounds of distant artillery or drones, reminders of the ongoing conflict that fuels the blockade. For families, the uncertainty breeds anxiety; parents worry not just about today's meal but tomorrow's survival.

As global attention sporadically turns to Gaza—often in the wake of escalations like rocket fire or airstrikes—the fishermen's plight underscores a chronic humanitarian emergency. Calls for lifting the blockade grow louder from quarters like the European Union and human rights bodies, advocating for expanded fishing zones and freer movement of goods. Diplomatic efforts, including Egyptian-mediated talks, occasionally yield temporary easings, but lasting change remains elusive.

In the predawn light, as Ahmed pushes his boat into the waves once more, the sea whispers promises it can no longer keep. For Gaza's fishermen, the fight is not just against the currents or the patrols, but against a system that has turned abundance into famine. Their stories, etched in salt and sorrow, serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of protracted conflict. Until the blockade lifts, the people of Gaza will continue to cast their nets into an uncertain future, hoping for a catch that sustains more than just the body—it sustains the soul.

This ongoing crisis in Gaza highlights the intersection of politics, security, and human rights, where the simple act of fishing becomes an act of defiance. As international pressure mounts, the world watches to see if the tides will turn, bringing relief to those who have endured so much. For now, the fishermen persist, their resilience a testament to the unyielding spirit of a people under siege. (Word count: 1,048)

Read the Full CNN Article at:
[ https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/25/world/video/gaza-sea-fisherman-israeli-blockade-starving-malnutrition-diamond-pkg-intl ]