Fishing under fire off the Gaza coast - in pictures

Fisherman Abu Nayim with his son Khaled, and baby grandson Mohammed. His family have fished these waters for generations Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

Buying diesel to fuel the all-night fishing trip. Since the fall of the Muslim Brotherhood regime in Egypt, where the fuel is smuggled from, the price of Diesel has doubled Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

Fishermen refuel and tend to their craft ahead of the evening's fishing Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

Abu Nayim's eldest son Nayim Photograph: Gianluca Panella

The Gaza coast. Israel has not permitted any Gazan boats beyond six miles out to sea since 2006 Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

Under the stars: Abu Nayim rests while the bright arc lights around his boat dazzle the sardine shoals below Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

Fishermen rest below deck Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

An Israeli gunboat fires on a Palestinian fishing boat within the allowed six mile zone Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

The smaller boat, a felucca, shines lights on the water to keep the fish at the surface while the net is deployed Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

The crew, some as young as 16, work through the night but the paltry catch earns them no wages Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

The felucca recently came under fire from the Israeli navy and was hit by four bullets Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

Mahmoud prays Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

Dawn breaks and the fishermen race to port: the earlier boats will catch a better spot in the fish market Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

Mohammed Hassouna, Abu Nayim's adopted son. He has a baby son and his wife is pregnant Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

Fishermen lay their catch on the pavement for merchants to bid on. Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

Mahmoud Abu Amira. Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

End of the line: a half-empty fish shop in Gaza City’s main market. The exclusion zone has drastically reduced the daily haul Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

Despite 14 hours' work they return with only two boxes of squid and a bucket of sardines Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

Dish of the day: Abu Nayim’s wife, Naima, cooks sardines watched by her son and grandchildren in the family home in Gaza’s notorious Beach refugee camp. Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer

The remains of the family meal. Abu Nayim lives with his six sons and their families. There are 30 people to feed Photograph: Gianluca Panella for the Observer