GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — “They look around, ask about prices and then leave,” Ibrahim Suri commented on Palestinians who visit his farm, where there are hundreds of calves, cows, sheep and goats. He sees a high turnout before Eid al-Adha each year, the most important season for livestock traders, who sell large numbers of animals for sacrifice.

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Suri attributed the citizens’ reluctance to buy livestock to rising prices. This situation will result in heavy losses for him, as he recently bought a great number of livestock and could only sell a few. According to him, the prices increased by 20% compared with last year, and he does not believe prices will drop by the 2015 Eid al-Adha later this month.

Suri said that before the season is over, he will be forced to sell the livestock for lower prices than he paid for them. He has no hope of recouping his other expenses, including feeding and taking care of the animals and paying the salaries of the additional employees he had to hire for the season.

The livestock trade is an important economic resource for Gaza’s residents, and thousands of dealers, breeders and employees work in this field.