GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Omar al-Shawa owns and runs a restaurant in Gaza City that serves snacks, sandwiches and shisha. After establishing the restaurant in 2014, Shawa has worked hard to promote it as it competes with dozens of restaurants scattered throughout the Gaza Strip.

Shawa, who has worked as a manager in many restaurants, said that food investments are currently the only viable and profitable endeavors in Gaza. “One cannot live without food, and restaurants rarely make any losses. Despite the many difficulties that we face in our business, including the continuous power cuts and the repeated wars that stop our work for long periods, our business remains very good and profitable,” he said.

Shawa said that his restaurant is visited by many customers from all classes because he offers low prices that everyone can afford. “We rely on the high turnout of people of all classes, and our prices, which range from 7 to 12 shekels [from $1.80 to $3], play an important role in this turnout. Add to this the increased demand in the summer months,” he said.

Many new restaurants, either popular or high-end, are established in the Gaza Strip on a yearly basis. Investors are lured by the high demand in Gaza.