The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has given many in southern Lebanon renewed hope for a return to normal life, including local fishermen who have long set out at dawn in their single-engine wooden boats on the Mediterranean.
Over the past two months of intense conflict, Israel imposed a blockade on southern Lebanon, leaving hundreds of fishers stranded at this historic Phoenician port and disrupting their way of life and the fishing industry, reports AP.
While the devastation and displacement have been more severe, the blockade also hindered access to essential ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes, such as sayadiyeh—a fish and rice dish cooked with fish sauce—and grilled or fried fish served with dips like hummus, tabbouleh, or fattoush salads, it said.
The absence of fish impacted a deep-rooted connection to home, but the potential for a revival of fishing off Lebanon’s southern coast is now inspiring optimism for a better future.
On Friday, a few boats ventured out close to shore as fishers in the port worked on nets from small boats painted in white, blue, or red, the report said.
Hussein Sukmani, 55, mentioned on Friday that he was contemplating heading out to sea in the coming days but wanted to see how things progressed. He had refrained from setting sail since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated dramatically on Sept. 23. “They were days of fear and horror,” he said. “They were the most difficult days of our lives.”
A drone strike last week claimed the lives of two young fishers in the city as they prepared their nets on the coast. Some fishers reported that the Lebanese army had warned them they would be risking their safety if they ventured out, it added.
Walid Darwish was among those who sailed near the coast on Friday, returning with two plastic containers filled with mullet. “Today is the first time that we sail,” Darwish said, adding that the fishers had missed the prime fishing season in October and November. “We lost it,” he lamented.
In October, the Israeli army prohibited boats from entering waters within 50 kilometers (31 miles) of the border and has not clarified whether this restriction is still active.
Sukmani shared that most of the 700 fishers operating the 270 boats at the port have avoided going out to sea out of concern since then, said the report
The area surrounding the port is mainly Christian and has largely been spared the airstrikes that have devastated other parts of Tyre.
In peaceful times, the port is a popular destination for tourists, drawing Lebanese and foreign visitors for its views, restaurants, and beaches, it also said.
Mohammed Hammoud was seen walking along the Tyre coast on Friday, fishing rod in hand. “It is enough that someone is able to stand in this beautiful area,” he said, pointing to the white sands. “Fishing is everything for me,” added Hammoud, who had been fishing in areas north of Sidon that were not under siege.
In Tyre’s old market, Gilbert Spiridon watched from his shop as customers bought freshly caught fish. Before the war, it would take hours to sell all of his fish to buyers from across Lebanon. “All I wish is that the war has ended and we are back on track to the old good days,” he said.