Traditionally, the Mediterranean Sea has been a major source of food and income in Gaza. Fishing as a career has been passed down for generations, and thousands of people today use fishing both as a source of sustenance and liberation.

“I enjoy being in the sea at night,” fisherman Fouad El Amoudi says. “You feel as free as the fish in the water.”

Nonetheless, the harsh realities of occupation have even reached the sea. Electricity shortages reduce harbor lighting and force fishermen to scale back their hours of operation. The lack of lighting often leads to boat collision or an unwanted encounter with Israeli gunboats. That could lead to arrests or shooting of fishers who accidentally wander into the restricted fishing zone.

With your generous contributions, UPA installed solar-powered lighting in Khan Younis Harbor through our project Illuminating Gaza, One Harbor at a Time.  Today, the system harnesses and stores the power of the sun to illuminate the harbor at night, helping Gaza’s fishermen beat the rolling blackouts that have become all too common.

According to Fouad, who works at this harbor, this new lighting system has reduced the number of marine accidents and increased the number of working hours for himself and his fellow fishermen. This equates to more fish and therefore more income.

“I cannot describe my feelings after installing the new lighting,” Fouad says. “I can only say that there was a new lifeline that extended to me and to all fishermen in the harbor.”

Thanks to you, fishing is now a safer and more profitable career in Gaza’s Khan Younis Harbor. In this holy month of Ramadan, help support the livelihood of people like Fouad by donating to UPA.

Your tax-deductible gift, Sadaqa, or Zakat can make all the difference.