Egyptian fish return to Gaza's markets
Tons of fish entered the Gaza Strip through the crossings and tunnels from Egypt, allowing medium- and low-income consumers to buy species that are usually consumed by the rich, as they are so scarce in the Gaza sea.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Since early February, Egyptian fish have become available again in the Gaza Strip after they had disappeared for nearly four years. They were unavailable due to an intensified Egyptian security crackdown on the tunnels built along the border with Rafah that started in July 2013.
Yazid Ismail stands in front of the fish market carrying a bag of Egyptian fish. He happily told Al-Monitor, “I was previously unable to purchase bass caught in the Gaza sea, due to high prices that went up to 45 shekels [$12] per kilogram [2.2 pounds, $5.45 per pound]. Today, I managed to buy 3 kilograms at once, as 1 kilogram is sold at 28 shekels.”
He added, “Fish coming from Egypt are sold at low prices, which enables large families and medium-income households to purchase fish that were usually limited to high-income earners.”
Ismail hopes that political circumstances get better in Egypt so that raw materials and goods can enter Gaza through Egypt.
