Gaza’s last refuge sealed off under Israeli ban

For decades, the Mediterranean has been Gaza’s lifeline, its source of food and income, but also a place of refuge and escape from the realities of Israeli occupation. But now, after 21 months of war, even it has been sealed off. Israel has issued military orders barring Palestinians in the enclave from one of their last sources of joy – the sea. Gazans are forbidden under new directives from swimming in the waters, while fishermen are prohibited from setting out to sea. “The forces will deal with any violation to these restrictions,” Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Avichay Adraee said in a post on X. “We urge fishermen, swimmers and divers to refrain from entering the sea. Entering the sea along the strip puts you at risk.”