Thousands of Muslims in the Gaza Strip are practicing their holy month of Ramadan this year with the added strain of economic and social hardship, after Egypt shut the Rafah border crossing and the tunnels vital for the import of goods into Gaza.

Adherents usually prepare for Ramadan in advance by storing large amounts of food and drinks, an activity which has become part of the month’s traditions. But Palestinians in Gaza have experienced a lack of food items, fuel and raw materials due to the surprising and abrupt decision by Egypt to shut the tunnels earlier this month following the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi. 

Hundreds of people from all social classes gathered at the central market in the old city of Gaza early on the morning of the third day of Ramadan, July 12, to prepare their needs for the day, but vendors say this is one of the worst years the market has witnessed during the month of fasting.

“Every year, I hire more workers at the time of Ramadan, so I can respond to the huge number of customers’ needs. But this year I only have one, and he rarely sells anything,” Tayab al-Jarousha, a 31-year-old grocer told Al-Monitor, as he arranged his products on the stand.