Destitute Gazans splurge as Ramadan comes to an end

Gaza: For people living in Gaza, tough economic restrictions have caused people to be extremely mindful of their daily spending. Most people sleep early, opting to stay in doors than go out and spend money in coffee shops.

The last week of Ramadan, however, has witnessed a massive influx of people in the streets late at night. Many people have received their salaries in advance and have been saving their money throughout Ramadan so they can enjoy the Eid celebrations and buy gifts and new clothes for their children.

After evening prayers, Gazans have gathered in coffee shops to socialise, smoke Shisha and watch their favourite Ramadan serial "Bab Al Hara", a Syrian soap set in the times of French occupation, to which they relate to in their plight as Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.

In the middle of Gaza, sits Remal neighbourhood and Palestine Square where people flock to buy new clothes, gifts and sweets for the upcoming Eid celebration.

Coloured lights and decorations hang from buildings over the marketplace. The decorations mostly done individually by the shopowners to promote their stores and to add to the festive nature of the holiday.

"I used to sell three to four kilos of sweets a week, but I can finish all of my supply in a few days now," Abu Moamen Al Dalo, a shop owner in Palestine square told Gulf News.

"Even though I bring the sweets in from Egypt, triple the price, people still by it because of the Eid occasion," he explained.

Shop owners have enjoyed the surge in business, since during the year people don't spend much money.

Despite Israeli blockade of Gaza which tightened in June 2007, Gazans smuggle their goods in through tunnels from Egypt. It is difficult to ensure the quality of the goods because there is no governmental regulation, but Gazans are left with no choice.