GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — After Israel announced Oct. 25 its intention to expand the permitted fishing zone off Gaza’s coast from 6 to 9 miles, starting Nov. 3, it delayed the implementation of the decision until Nov. 6 and subsequently halted the decision indefinitely.

Fisherman Mohammed Hassouna lives in Beach refugee camp west of Gaza City and had pinned high hopes on the expansion decision, which he thought would improve — albeit slightly — his daily catch. His hopes, however, were dashed by Israel’s revocation of this decision.

“I have an average-size fishing boat and three workers. I go fishing twice a day, from 4 p.m. until the early morning hours and from 7 a.m. until noon. I make between 200 shekels [$52] and 300 shekels [$77] on a daily basis by selling the fish, and this amount covers the workers’ wages and the boat’s operational expenses such as fuel. So my daily profit ranges between 40 shekels [$10] to 50 shekels [$13],” Hassouna told Al-Monitor.

Despite Israel’s recent statements that it would expand the permitted fishing zone off the coast of ​​Gaza to 9 miles, Hassouna believes this would only slightly improve the situation as most of the fish are caught beyond 9 miles.