Fishing in Gaza

Fishing in Gaza

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Israel on Sunday extended the distance it permits Gaza fishermen to head out to sea along certain parts of the coastline of the enclave, which is run by the Islamist group Hamas.

The fishing zone was expanded from six nautical miles (11 km) to nine (16 km) along Gaza's central and southern shores, a step that Israeli authorities said should result in a bigger catch in deeper waters, where fish are more abundant.

. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

Israel, citing security concerns that include fears of Hamas weapons smuggling, maintains a naval blockade of Gaza, and the zone will remain at six nautical miles in northern areas near the Israeli border.

. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

Palestinians have complained of frequent Israeli interceptions and arrests of fishermen who have strayed from the zone and of the confiscation of their boats and equipment.

Nizar Ayyash, chairman of the Gaza fishermen's union, called the expansion insufficient, noting that Israel's interim Oslo peace deals with the Palestinians call for a 20 nautical mile (37 km) zone in the Mediterranean.

. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

Hamas, which seized the Gaza Strip in 2007 from the rival Fatah movement, and last fought a war with Israel in 2014, rejects the Oslo accords.

Ayyash said there are 4,000 fishermen in Gaza, home to 1.95 million people.

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Slideshow

Fishing boats float at the Seaport of Gaza City.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

Fishing boats float at the Seaport of Gaza City.

Palestinians start to board a fishing boat.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

Palestinians start to board a fishing boat.

A fishermen cleans a net.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

A fishermen cleans a net.

Men load a box containing a fish onto a vehicle.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

Men load a box containing a fish onto a vehicle.

A boy carries a fish.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

A boy carries a fish.

Vendors cut up fish at a market.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

Vendors cut up fish at a market.

People gather to buy fish at a market.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

People gather to buy fish at a market.

Palestinians arrive to buy fish.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

Palestinians arrive to buy fish.

Men ride a motorbike rickshaw loaded with boxes of fish.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

Men ride a motorbike rickshaw loaded with boxes of fish.

Palestinians clean fish boxes with seawater.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

Palestinians clean fish boxes with seawater.