DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — While Gaza remains gripped by a devastating humanitarian crisis and an unstable ceasefire, a small group of Palestinian surfers continues to seek solace and happiness in the Mediterranean waters along the territory’s coastline.
According to Tahseen Abu Assi, a Gaza City surfer, just three or four men continue to surf because of limited surfboards and lack of repair materials for damaged equipment.
Throughout the two-year conflict, Abu Assi transported his surfboard during each forced relocation because replacement would be impossible. “If something happened to it I won’t be able to get another one,” he explained, pointing out that surfboards haven’t been allowed into the Palestinian territory since 2007. Israel’s restrictions include surfboards among various sports equipment and other banned items.
This Tuesday, Abu Assi joined two other surfers in the waters near Gaza City’s port, including Khalil Abu Jiab, who celebrated while riding the large waves with his arms extended upward.
Following the conflict’s start, Israeli forces imposed severe limitations on maritime activities in Gaza, with UN reports documenting attacks on fishermen both on land and at sea, including those using small paddle craft.
In the previous year, Israel designated Gaza’s coastal waters as off-limits, prohibiting fishing, swimming, and ocean access, creating hazardous conditions for surfing.
Maritime activities remain forbidden and perilous in northern and southern Gaza waters. Even central Gaza’s waters, near Gaza City, pose risks due to Israeli naval patrols.
“There is fear of course, but we can’t leave this sport,” Abu Assi explained. “During the war, in the middle of the war, in the middle of the bombing and the planes above us, we used to go down and practice this sport.”
Since Gaza’s waves seldom reach suitable surfing heights, enthusiasts abandon all other activities when conditions improve, he noted.
Heavy combat throughout the region decreased following an unstable ceasefire that began October 10, though fatal Israeli attacks have persisted, with Hamas and Israel each blaming the other for truce violations.
The Israel-Hamas conflict started October 7, 2023, when militants launched an assault on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily civilians, and capturing 251 hostages. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that Israel’s military campaign has resulted in 72,628 Palestinian deaths and 172,520 injuries.
Gaza residents continue facing severe challenges obtaining food, clean water, healthcare, and housing following widespread destruction, collapsed medical infrastructure, and mass displacement of the population.
However, for the territory’s remaining surfers, the waves provide temporary relief from their circumstances.
“As soon as the sea gets high, you leave your work and leave your whole life,” Abu Assi said. “Work can be caught up on, as they say. We go practice this sport.”
