00:00Located on the Mediterranean coast, Sidon is considered the capital of South Lebanon
00:07behind me, where the bombardment has been taking place by Israel.
00:11And although it is the farthest tip from the borders, it has not escaped the Israeli air
00:17raids.
00:19One of the main sources of income for the city's residents comes from fishing, as small
00:23boats can be seen anchored along the coast.
00:26Rabia Sombol is one of many Lebanese who have dedicated their lives to fishing.
00:31I started since I was 16 years old.
00:33I inherited from my father, who was a fisherman, and I loved it more than studying, and I still
00:39do until now.
00:40I have three children, two girls and a boy.
00:42I rely on fishing to cover my living costs.
00:46This is the sole income for his family, and for over 200 fishermen in the small port city.
00:53When Israel escalated its offensive on Lebanon, the Lebanese army gave orders to the fishermen
00:58not to go fishing anymore.
01:01Rabia and his colleagues are not allowed to sail.
01:04They lose money every day their boats lay idle.
01:09It's a very difficult period for us because we don't have insurance or social welfare.
01:14Our income comes from fishing.
01:15We are like daily laborers.
01:17When there's no work, there will be no food on the table.
01:20We also have daily expenses to maintain our boats, the equipment and the nets.
01:26It's a tough time for hundreds of families in the area.
01:29This market used to be buzzing every day with the fishermen and sellers, and a lot of customers
01:34buying fish every day.
01:37But now it has been deserted completely.
01:42Only cobwebs inhabit the place now.
01:45Fishermen turn to their syndicate for help.
01:47But the syndicate's chief says he has knocked on every possible door in vain.
01:55The army has withheld our licenses because they fear for our lives.
02:00We abide by it, but the syndicate doesn't have a budget to help the fishermen and their
02:04families.
02:05We feel helpless.
02:07We want the government to support us, treat us like the displaced.
02:11They are given money and food.
02:12We should too.
02:14It's been weeks.
02:15They're running out of savings and the future looks bleak.
02:19Any longer and they might have to sell their boats and homes and end up in shelters.
02:25Yass Hakim for CGTN, Sidon, South Lebanon.
Comments