50 new boats to be delivered to Gaza fishermen

EXCLUSIVE PICTURES

The Minister of Agriculture in the Gaza Strip, Dr Mohammad Ramadan al-Agha, has announced government plans to supply 50 fishermen with fishing boats free of charge. Forty of these boats will be given to fishermen who have lost their own boats over the last year as a consequence of Israeli attacks, while 10 others will be given to the poorest Palestinians in need. The fishing boat project is being launched within the context of a wider programme to help fishermen funded by the Islamic Bank.

While announcing the project, Dr Al-Agha said that the Ministry has tried to accelerate delivery of the boats to enable the fishermen to start working immediately and benefit from the current sardine fishing season.

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Meanwhile, Prime Minister in Gaza, Ismael Haniyyah, who attended the ceremony, has condemned Israeli attack on solidarity vessels the latest of which took place today, 16th May, against a Malaysian ship carrying aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza. The Prime Minister called upon all supporters to resume sending fleets to break the siege, including Freedom Flotilla II.
 
Mr Haniyyah praised the fishermen who have endured the horrors of the maritime blockade and continuous violations carried out by the Israeli occupation over the past four years. He confirmed the government’s support for the fishermen through the Ministry of Agriculture.
 
Haniyyeh also thanked the State of Qatar for its project in support of the fishermen estimated at $8.5 million.

MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad