Gazans splurge for Eid despite economic woes

Gaza: Gaza is seeing a surge in the number of people coming out on the streets in the last week of Ramadan, despite economic miseries resulting from Israel's blockade.

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

Most people, mindful of spending too much before Eid Al Fitr, had been avoiding coffee shops during the month.

Those who received their salaries early were saving the money through the month for Eid to buy gifts for friends and relatives and new clothes for the children.

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

Colourful lights and decorations hang from buildings over the marketplace. The decorations are 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 kilograms 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 at triple the price people still buy it because of the Eid occasion," he said.

Shop owners are enjoying the surge in business, as the people do not spend much during other times of the year. Because of the Israeli blockade of Gaza, which tightened after 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.

Egypt temporarily opened the border after coordinating with the Palestinian Hamas movement, which controls the Gaza Strip, for Eid Al Fitr, the three-day feast that marks the end of Ramadan.