GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Chicken, a basic component of iftar (breaking of the fast) during Ramadan, is no longer available to most Gazans. Its increasing price has led citizens to hold the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip responsible amid the spread of the black market for chicken and the government’s failure to sanction the traders’ manipulation of prices.

During a field tour conducted by Al-Monitor in the markets of Gaza City to check on the price of chicken, many citizens expressed their discontent at the merchants’ exploitation of citizens calling on the government to put an end to the monopoly and price manipulation plaguing Gaza.

Gazans believe that the government should not cater to the interests of a couple of traders and choose to overlook the majority of the citizens. They say the government cannot remain silent as traders raise the price of chicken, while its representatives issue countless reassuring statements about a drop in prices during Ramadan, without the situation changing. One kilogram (2.2 pounds) of chicken now costs 15-16 Israeli shekels (about $4), while it did not cost more than 10 shekels ($2.60) before Ramadan started two weeks ago.

Citizens started a hashtag in Arabic, which would translate into #IBoycott Exploitation, to express their disapproval of the high price of chicken in the Gaza Strip during the month of Ramadan.