Photos: Gaza fishermen take to water again after cease-fire

The frenzied shouts of an auctioneer at Gaza City's main fishing port brought a welcome reprieve from the din of gunfire and explosions as life begins slowly returning to normal following 11 days of hostilities between Hamas and Israel.

Israeli security forces prevented fishermen from sailing during the conflict, but they began allowing a limited number of ships to set out beginning last Saturday as Egyptian mediators worked to firm up a cease-fire that took effect Friday.

Gazans take pride in their seafood, and the return of fishing buoyed hopes that the ceasefire will hold.

After a night out on the water, fishermen unloaded their bounty of crabs, shrimp and other fish at first light Sunday at Gaza City's Al-Mina port, where Hamas police were present to maintain order.

Buyers were already waiting to make their bids on boxes of fish arrayed on the ground after being unloaded from the boats, where young boys working as deckhands assisted older men in sorting and washing their catch.

The fish were then loaded onto horse-drawn carts for delivery to local markets.

Fishermen unload their haul before delivery to market in Gaza City.

Lots of seafood are organised on the ground as buyers browse the day's catch at auction.

Fishermen sort crabs on deck before delivery to market.

Fisherman load a horse-drawn cart before delivering their haul to market.

Lots of seafood are organised on the ground as buyers browse the day’s catch at auction.