Tyre Fishermen Hope Ceasefire Signals Return to Normal Life

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has brought a sense of hope for normalcy back to southern Lebanon, particularly for the fishermen who have long started their days by taking their wooden boats into the Mediterranean. For the past two months, Israel’s blockade of southern Lebanon, during its conflict with Hezbollah, had kept many fishermen grounded, disrupting both their livelihoods and the local fishing industry.

While the broader impacts of the conflict, such as destruction and displacement, were more severe, the blockade also prevented access to fish, which are a crucial component of Lebanese cuisine. Traditional dishes like sayadiyeh, a fish and rice dish cooked in fish sauce, as well as fried and grilled fish served with salads like tabbouleh and fattoush, became harder to prepare. The lack of fresh fish affected not just the economy, but also a deep cultural connection to the land and home.

However, the prospect of returning to the sea has rekindled a sense of optimism for many in the region. On Friday, some boats ventured close to the shore, with fishermen mending their nets on boats painted in shades of white, blue, and red. Hussein Sukmani, a 55-year-old fisherman, said he was considering going back to sea soon but was waiting to see how things would unfold. He hadn’t dared sail since the conflict escalated on September 23, describing those days as “the most difficult” of his life.

A recent drone strike, which killed two fishermen preparing their nets, and a warning from the Lebanese Army that any fishermen who set out would do so at their own risk, has kept many from returning to the water. Still, a few brave souls, like Walid Darwish, took to the sea, bringing back mullet from their short trip. Darwish noted that they had missed the peak fishing season in October and November, calling it a significant loss for the industry.

The Israeli army had prohibited boats from operating within 50 kilometers (31 miles) of the border in October, but it’s unclear if that restriction is still in place. As a result, many of the 700 fishermen working at the port have refrained from venturing out. The area around the port, a predominantly Christian neighborhood, has avoided much of the devastation that has struck other parts of Tyre, where buildings have been destroyed by airstrikes.

In peacetime, the port is a popular destination for tourists, known for its scenic views, restaurants, and beaches. On Friday, Mohammed Hammoud walked along the Tyre coastline with his fishing rod, grateful that he could stand in the area despite the war. Fishing, he said, is everything to him. Meanwhile, in Tyre’s old market, Gilbert Spiridon watched customers buy freshly caught fish, longing for the days before the war when business was booming and the city felt vibrant again. All he wished for now was to return to “the old good days.”