With a ceasefire now in place between Israel and Hezbollah, the port city of Tyre in southern Lebanon is witnessing a cautious return to normalcy. This truce, enacted on Wednesday, has allowed local fishers a glimmer of hope after months of immobilization due to the conflict.
The recent cessation of hostilities, following an intense two-month escalation, marks a significant relief for the residents of southern Lebanon. Fishers in Tyre have begun to venture out with their single-engine boats upon the Mediterranean once more, a stark change after the siege that had previously confined them to shore. This blockade not only disrupted their livelihoods but also severed access to essential ingredients for traditional Lebanese cuisine, such as sayadiyeh and hummus-accompanied fish dishes.
Hussein Sukmani, a local fisher, shared his hesitation regarding the decision to return to the sea. ‘They were the most difficult days of our lives,’ he remarked, reflecting on the period since September when the conflict with Israel intensified. Recent events, including a drone strike that tragically claimed the lives of two young fishers, have understandably heightened tensions and fear among the community.
Despite the ceasefire, some individuals remain cautious. Warnings from the Lebanese army suggest that fishers navigate at their own risk, as the Israeli military’s former exclusion zone of 31 miles from the border remains a concern. Nevertheless, Walid Darwish, another fisher, dared to navigate close to the shore. Upon returning to port with his catch, he acknowledged missing the lucrative fishing months of October and November but expressed hope for the future nonetheless.
The port of Tyre, a neighborhood predominantly made up of Christians, has—unlike other parts of the city—remained relatively unscathed by airstrikes. Typically a bustling tourist destination, the area has suffered economically but hopes to recover as stability returns.
For locals like Mohammed Hammoud, who strolls along the Tyre coast with his fishing rod, the ability to fish is not just a livelihood but a way of life. Similarly, Gilbert Spiridon, a fish seller in Tyre’s old market, longs for the days before conflict disrupted commerce when his clientele spanned the breadth of Lebanon. As he observes customers returning for fresh fish, there is a collective aspiration among many in the community that peace will restore their cherished routines and economic stability.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has brought a cautious optimism to the city of Tyre, where fishing is more than an industry—it’s a deeply ingrained part of life. While challenges and uncertainties persist, the people of Tyre are hopeful that this move towards peace will pave the way for a return to normalcy and prosperity in their community.
Source: News4jax
