Bakr: Gaza's winter threatens fishermen's lives as the sea turns into a death trap

Zakaria Bakr, head of the General Union of Fishing and Marine Production Workers, warned of growing risks threatening Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip as winter approaches, amid ongoing fishing restrictions and a ban on importing equipment and materials for boat manufacturing and repair. Bakr told a reporter for the newspaper "Palestine" that fishermen face multiple dangers from both the sea and Israeli gunboats. He said the Palestinian fisherman remains attached to the sea, as part of the legacy of ancestors and a primary source of livelihood, despite the harsh conditions imposed by the war. He explained that fishermen are forced to use small, primitive boats that cannot withstand strong winds and high waves, making their trips to sea during winter a risky adventure. Bakr noted that last year saw the deaths of two fishermen while working at sea after they were involved in an accident related to small boats and fishing nets. He said the fishing sector has suffered massive losses during the war, affecting boats, equipment, and facilities linked to the sector. Bakr revealed that dozens of fishermen have been killed since the start of the war, about 150 fishermen arrested, and more than 160 injured, including some who suffered permanent disabilities and limb amputations. He stressed that saving the fishing sector is not limited to providing a livelihood for fishermen but is linked to protecting their lives and preserving an inherited profession.