Gaza Herald— Palestinian fishermen in Gaza are turning discarded refrigerators into makeshift boats to feed their families after Israeli attacks destroyed thousands of fishing vessels, leaving them without the equipment or means to earn a living.
Along Gaza’s Mediterranean coastline, fishermen can now be seen using the hollow shells of old refrigerators as makeshift flotation devices, venturing into the sea in search of small catches despite the danger of drowning and Israeli naval fire.
For Obeida Siam, a Palestinian fisherman who lost his boat and fishing equipment during Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the improvised vessel is one of the few ways he can still provide food for his family.
“Fishing is no longer abundant; the fish are extremely scarce, and the occupation enforces an intense blockade on us,” Siam said.
With no proper boat or equipment, Siam must rely on a fragile floating structure that offers little stability or protection against the waves.
Even when he manages to fish, the catch is often too small to provide a reliable income.
More Than 2,000 Fishing Boats Destroyed
According to the Gaza Fishermen’s Syndicate, Israel’s restrictions and attacks have devastated the fishing industry, leaving thousands of Palestinian families without their traditional source of income.
Nizar Ayyash, head of the syndicate, said Israeli forces have prohibited fishing activities since October 7, 2023, and that the restrictions have continued despite the ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025.
The syndicate reported that Israeli naval attacks have destroyed fishing boats, equipment, and coastal infrastructure across the Gaza Strip.
Figures cited as United Nations statistics indicate that more than 2,000 fishing boats of various sizes have been destroyed.
Financial losses in Gaza’s fishing sector have exceeded $80 million, according to the figures presented in the report.
For fishing families, the destruction has meant not only the loss of their livelihoods but also reduced access to a vital source of food at a time when Palestinians across Gaza face severe shortages.
Fishermen Face Israeli Naval Fire and Severe Restrictions
Before Israel’s genocidal campaign, fishing provided income and food for thousands of Palestinian families along Gaza’s coast.
Now, fishermen attempting to return to the sea face restrictions on where they can operate, the threat of Israeli naval fire, and a shortage of essential equipment.
Replacement engines, fishing nets, fiberglass materials, and repair tools remain difficult to obtain because of restrictions on supplies entering Gaza.
Without the means to repair or replace their boats, some fishermen have resorted to using whatever materials they can find, including discarded refrigerator shells.
These improvised craft cannot safely replace fishing vessels and leave those using them exposed to strong currents, waves, and the danger of capsizing.
Fishing to Feed Their Families
Despite the risks, Palestinian fishermen continue to venture into the water because their families depend on whatever food or income they can bring home.
For Siam, the sea remains a source of survival even after the destruction of his boat and equipment.
But the refrigerator shell he now uses is a stark reminder of how much Gaza’s fishing community has lost.
Where fishermen once relied on boats and nets to earn a living, some now enter the Mediterranean on pieces of discarded household appliances, hoping to return with enough fish to feed their children.
