A glimpse of respite for Gaza's Strawberry farmers

EXCLUSIVE PICTURES

The Bait Lahia area of the Northern Gaza Strip is known for the high quality of strawberries grown there. However, since the intifada, farm workers have been subjected to a number of serious violations by forces of the Israeli occupation including bullets and missiles being fired into agricultural areas.

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As a result of this as well as the recent war, many farms have been destroyed causing huge losses within the farming community. In addition, the Israeli imposed economic embargo has meant that sufficient quantities of produces have not been able to be exported from the sector.

However, this year, Israel is allowing the export of Gaza’s strawberries to European markets. Farmers are expecting a good harvest this season of around 700 tons of strawberries and farmers’ anticipation of a good return on their produce is high. It is a welcomed glimpse of respite from the relentless and stifling four year embargo that Gaza has been subjected to.

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MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad