by Saud Abu Ramadan, Sanaa Kamal
GAZA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- In sharp contrast to what was expected, major Palestinian markets in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip have witnessed a significant turnout as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is arriving, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Al-Zawiya market, one of the most popular markets in Gaza, was overcrowded ahead of Ramadan that commenced on Tuesday. The small shops and food stores were decorated with Ramadan lanterns in different colors and sizes.
Happiness was visible on the face of Saeed al-Saqqa, one of the store owners, who pinned his hopes on Ramadan to improve his deteriorating economic conditions.
"Despite coronavirus, there is a significant turnout of customers purchasing Ramadan foodstuffs and other products compared with previous years," said the 55-year-old father of six, while arranging his goods outside the store to attract customers.
While "products are affordable for everyone, the problematic living situation in Gaza deprives many families of celebrating Ramadan," he added.
Muslims worldwide fast about 15 hours a day for 30 days during Ramadan. Housewives usually spend the end of the day in kitchens to prepare breakfast with desserts and juices.
While shopping, Iktimal al-Kamouni told Xinhua that the atmosphere of Ramadan was beautiful and buying Ramadan products will serve to increase the joy during the fasting month.
However, the apparent boom in the markets might not last too long, as the Hamas, ruler of Gaza, has tightened the precautionary measures to curb the spread of the new COVID-19 variants.
On Monday evening, the Hamas-run interior ministry announced that it will ban the traffic in all governorates of the coastal enclave every day from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.. Besides, a full lockdown will start at 9 p.m. and end at 6 a.m., which includes the closure of shops and stores.
"The new instructions will start on Tuesday and will last the entire 30 days of Ramadan. In addition, gatherings in public places and streets, as well as outdoor weddings and weekly markets will be banned," Eyad al-Bozzom, interior ministry spokesman in Gaza, told reporters.
Gazans must abide by all the required precautionary measures, including wearing face masks when praying at the mosques during Ramadan, he noted.
Al-Saqqa expressed deep concerns about the anti-virus measures Hamas is taking during Ramadan.
"Imposing a full lockdown in Gaza amid the increasing number of coronavirus infections will negatively affect my economic conditions and will cause accumulation of goods in my shop," he told Xinhua.
Mohammed al-Tayar, a taxi driver from Deir al-Balah city in the central Gaza Strip, said he will not be able to make money to make his seven-member family afloat.
"Banning traffic means we will stay without work," he complained. Enditem