Israel has killed more than 200 Palestinian fishermen since Oct '23

On 7 June, Israel’s occupation naval forces intentionally targeted and killed Gaza fisherman Mohammad Mousa Abu Jiyab. Mohammed Atef Al-Aqra, who was in the same vessel, was seriously injured. They were fishing off the coast of Deir al Balah, in central Gaza.

Israel intentionally targets Gaza’s fishermen

Off the coast of Gaza City, in a separate incident on the same day, four fishermen were forced to jump into the sea from their boat. They were then arrested by Israel and taken to an unknown location.

There have been many incidents of fishermen being intentionally targeted in Gaza, if not by shooting, by drones instead

🚨HEARTBREAKING: Old footage shows 18 year old Mohammad Abu Jiyab smiling and swimming at sea.

He was killed today by an Israeli direct strike while in his small fishing boat off the coast of Gaza, as he was trying to earn a living for his family amid the ongoing humanitarian… https://t.co/mfb1IExAOw pic.twitter.com/UnNieiumEL

— Gaza Notifications (@gazanotice) June 7, 2026

For generations, fishing has generated a dependable income, and important protein source, for thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.

Before October 2023 more than 6000 people depended on fishing as their main source of livelihood. A further 110,000 benefited from the sector through related economic activities and household support networks.

Fishing zone in Gaza continually shrinking and so is the catch

Under the Oslo Accords, Palestinian fishermen were promised by Israel access to waters extending up to 20 miles- 37 km, from the coast. But this was never implemented. Since Hamas took power in Gaza, the Israeli occupation has applied severe constraints on Gaza’s fishing industry, including systematically restricting fishing zones. And these have intensified further since October 2023.

Because the bigger, more profitable fish are found in deeper water, further from the coast, these restrictions have severe consequences. Too many boats fishing in the same small area has lead to increased pressure on coastal fish stocks.

According to Gaza Fishermen Syndicate member Zakaria Baker, before the genocide, Gaza’s fishing industry used to catch around 15 tonnes a day. But now the catch is less than 15 tonnes for a whole month. Less fish mean that fishing families are having to survive on a greatly reduced income.

Fishermen are also often left uncertain as to where the fishing areas are. Often they discover overnight that previously accessible waters have become off-limits. These limits are increasingly enforced, and fishermen are repeatedly attacked- both onshore and at sea, by the Israeli occupation forces. Every day Gaza’s fishermen have their access to the sea blocked, and risk their lives just to survive. Not only does the occupation confiscate and destroy their boats and fishing equipment. It also arrests these Palestinians, and fires live bullets at them.

Intentional decimation of a one thriving industry

But access is only one part of the problem. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Agriculture, Gaza’s port’s, fish farms and most landing sites have all been bombed or bulldozed by Israel. UNRWA reports that about 95 percent of fishing facilities and assets have been damaged or destroyed. This large scale destruction is intended to ensure that fishing is impossible.

The ongoing blockade is also affecting the entry of materials vital for boat maintenance. Items such as such as fiberglass, steel cables, and engine parts are heavily restricted because they are classified as “dual-use” items. This is because the occupation claims they could also be used for military purposes.

These restrictions have made it increasingly difficult to maintain fishing vessels, while available materials have increased greatly in price. A fisherman told Reuters that before the start of the genocide, a kilo of fibreglass cost 50- 60 shekels, approximately £12-£15. He said the same fiberglass now costs the equivalent of £200. All these factors directly impact the livelihoods of all Gaza’s fishermen, and their families.

Gaza’s fishing industry has now been decimated, with average daily fish catch between October 2023 and April 2024 falling to just over seven percent of 2022 levels. Over 200 fishermen have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, while more than 300 others have been injured. “Israel’s” deliberate and ongoing targeting of Gaza’s fishing industry, its agricultural food production system, and humanitarian aid are all part of its coordinated and intentional genocidal campaign to annihilate Palestinians.

Featured image via the Canary