Gazan fishermen patch up dinghies with door frames to keep themselves afloat

The Gaza fishing story centers on patched boats, where dinghies are rebuilt using reclaimed fiberglass, wood, and even door frames scavenged from rubble. In a crowded Gaza workshop, crews rush to ready the boats for a harsher line of work as the war presses on. Fishermen say Israeli restrictions on fiberglass and other materials drive up repair costs, with a kilo of fiberglass rising from about 50-60 shekels prewar to roughly 800 shekels today. The result is a shrinking fleet and a total monthly catch now estimated at less than 15 tons, complicating meals and livelihoods.

Mohammad al-Hissi cites the price spike, while Zakaria Baker of the Gaza Fishermen Syndicate notes the overall decline in productivity. The Israeli authority CO GAT acknowledges bans on items with dual civilian-military uses but did not comment directly on the fiberglass restriction. With near-shore fishing being the safer option under ongoing shooting, crews battle both dwindling stocks and rising costs. The mix of shelling hazards and supply limits shows how the war reshapes everyday struggle for food and income in Gaza's coastal communities.