Southern Lebanon's fishermen struggle as livelihood halts

CGTN Europe

Fishermen in southern Lebanon face losing their livelihoods and even homes, as the war with Israel shows no signs of abating.   It maybe the furthest tip from the borders, but Sidon has not escaped the devastating effects of the offensive. Our correspondent Yasser Hakim reports from Lebanon.   #israel #lebanon

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00:00Located on the Mediterranean coast, Sidon is considered the capital of South Lebanon

00:07behind me, where the bombardment has been taking place by Israel.

00:11And although it is the farthest tip from the borders, it has not escaped the Israeli air

00:17raids.

00:19One of the main sources of income for the city's residents comes from fishing, as small

00:23boats can be seen anchored along the coast.

00:26Rabia Sombol is one of many Lebanese who have dedicated their lives to fishing.

00:31I started since I was 16 years old.

00:33I inherited from my father, who was a fisherman, and I loved it more than studying, and I still

00:39do until now.

00:40I have three children, two girls and a boy.

00:42I rely on fishing to cover my living costs.

00:46This is the sole income for his family, and for over 200 fishermen in the small port city.

00:53When Israel escalated its offensive on Lebanon, the Lebanese army gave orders to the fishermen

00:58not to go fishing anymore.

01:01Rabia and his colleagues are not allowed to sail.

01:04They lose money every day their boats lay idle.

01:09It's a very difficult period for us because we don't have insurance or social welfare.

01:14Our income comes from fishing.

01:15We are like daily laborers.

01:17When there's no work, there will be no food on the table.

01:20We also have daily expenses to maintain our boats, the equipment and the nets.

01:26It's a tough time for hundreds of families in the area.

01:29This market used to be buzzing every day with the fishermen and sellers, and a lot of customers

01:34buying fish every day.

01:37But now it has been deserted completely.

01:42Only cobwebs inhabit the place now.

01:45Fishermen turn to their syndicate for help.

01:47But the syndicate's chief says he has knocked on every possible door in vain.

01:55The army has withheld our licenses because they fear for our lives.

02:00We abide by it, but the syndicate doesn't have a budget to help the fishermen and their

02:04families.

02:05We feel helpless.

02:07We want the government to support us, treat us like the displaced.

02:11They are given money and food.

02:12We should too.

02:14It's been weeks.

02:15They're running out of savings and the future looks bleak.

02:19Any longer and they might have to sell their boats and homes and end up in shelters.

02:25Yass Hakim for CGTN, Sidon, South Lebanon.

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