Palestinian fishermen forced to hunt dolphins for survival amid starvation crisis
A fishing net and a dolphin swimming in the background, Brazil.
Hunger and scarcity caused by Israel’s prolonged assault and siege on Gaza have forced Palestinian fishermen to turn to hunting dolphins for survival.
The dire circumstances mark a stark contrast to their earlier practice of releasing captured dolphins caught in their nets back to the sea.
Palestinian fishermen catch dolphins off Gaza’s southern coast
A Palestinian fisherman was seen struggling to carry a dolphin over 2 meters long after catching it off Gaza’s southern coast.
The footage, shared widely on social media, highlights the desperation that has gripped the region as basic food supplies dwindle.
A shift in practices amid blockade-induced starvation
Before Israel’s large-scale military campaign on Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian fishermen would often release dolphins accidentally caught in their nets back into the sea.
However, the severe scarcity resulting from the intensified blockade and relentless bombardment has left them with no choice but to resort to hunting dolphins as a source of food.
Hunger weaponized in Gaza
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have resulted in over 46,000 deaths. Beyond the immediate devastation, the population is also grappling with acute hunger.
Tel Aviv has largely restricted humanitarian aid to Gaza, effectively using starvation as a weapon of war, say human rights observers.
UN report highlights severe food insecurity
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) underscored the severity of the situation in its Nov. 21, 2024, statement: “Ninety-one percent of Gaza’s population suffers from acute food insecurity, with 16 percent enduring catastrophic conditions.”
With no end in sight to the siege and attacks, Gaza’s residents continue to struggle for survival, as the once vibrant fishing community battles both the sea and the harsh realities of an enduring humanitarian crisis.
