A bankrupt Ramadan in Gaza

However, though they may be thronged with people, Gaza's markets are lacking any holiday festivity or commerce. In the middle of Khan Younis' Jalal Street, shopkeeper Ahmad al-Agha idly sat in silence, playing with his mobile phone.

"There is no business at all; people are just buying food and drink only. As you see, few people come to purchase anything in my shop, while the majority of them seem to be biding their time before the Iftaar time is due."

People in the street echoed Ahmad's words, dismayed over their inability to cope with this year's Ramadan as the economic siege on Gaza has resulted in high prices and very low incomes.

"The situation is so miserable. There are many stands, but the prices of goods are so high we cannot buy all we need during Ramadan when there are a lot of things that need to be bought," Sami Abu Taha, a Khan Younis resident, explained.

Jehad Ashour, also from Khan Younis, said, "When my family needs four different things, I can only afford one thing because of my financial situation."

"I do blame President Mahmoud Abbas for his inaction towards improving our living conditions and by letting many others play with our destiny. As local residents, we have nothing to do with politics."

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