On the Pleasures of Living in Gaza by Mohammed Omer

Author:Mohammed Omer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Bisac Code 1: SOC008070
ISBN: 9781682196182
Publisher: OR Books
Published: 2025-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

On the same beaches, but at the other end of the economic spectrum, Gaza’s fishermen gather to pull what sustenance they can from the sea. I join Ayman Alamodi, a father of four who began his fishing career three decades ago, for a day’s journey on the water following a ceasefire after weeks of relentless Israeli air strikes and naval shelling along Gaza’s coast.

His boat, stagnant in the water for so long, bears the wear and tear of neglect, with faded paint and parts of the deck showing signs of rot. The meticulously woven fishing nets, crafted by Ayman’s weathered hands, hang limp and lifeless, burdened by silt and debris. Nevertheless, he races to catch whatever fish he can before sunset or a breach of the ceasefire.

Sharing a boat with nine other relatives, including his 34-year-old nephew Mouneer, poses a challenge as they collectively sustain seventy family members. All eyes are fixed on them, hoping they will return with enough food.

But after a few hours at sea, the fish we caught hardly cover the cost of the fuel used to run the boat’s motor. Ayman and Mouneer clear the fishing nets of crabs and proceed with the small sardines. On his way back to Al Shati refugee camp, Ayman avoids passing in front of the gas station, knowing he can’t settle his fuel debt this time. However, he remains hopeful tomorrow will be better.

Palestinian fishermen suffered severe losses when Israeli F-16s repeatedly struck sheds storing fishing equipment. Amjad Shrafi, deputy head of the Gaza Fishermen’s Syndicate, tells me that in one month of bombardment, Israeli shelling cost the fishing industry about $3 million in damage to fishing gear alone. The Israeli navy also regularly confiscates fishing boats on the thinnest of pretenses.

Sadly, the loss does not end with money and equipment. It’s common for Israeli navy ships to fire on Gaza fishermen without provocation, or for approaching the arbitrary three-nautical-mile limit imposed by Israel. Occasionally, Israel “generously” grants access to six nautical miles. Under the Oslo Accords, Palestinians should be granted access to twenty nautical miles off the Gaza coast, but this almost never happens in practice. Ayman knows all the names of his fellow fishermen who have been arrested, injured, or killed while fishing. The list is long, and some are his own relatives.

As a result of Israel’s theft, violence, destruction, and restrictions, about 95% of Gaza’s fishermen live in poverty.14

“It’s honestly a waste of time,” Ayman says. “There are no fish within three miles now. Further out, beyond six miles, there are natural stones where we can find a variety of delicious and nourishing fish.” His hands, roughened by the elements, expertly moor his fishing boat to the harbor with twists and turns of the rope. As the sun prepares to set, I don’t envy the plight of the seventy souls dependent on this boat for their lives. Another day will dawn promising nothing more than bread and tea. Even securing them all a morsel of fish to eat is not assured in such a limited, fished-out zone.

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