Start of school year belies economic downturn in Gaza

Tens of thousands of Gaza students are preparing to return to their desks on Monday for the start of a new school year. However, the markets in Gaza are not crowded with shoppers as they usually are around this time of year due to the decline in the economic situation of many ordinary Gazans.

Government employees in Gaza only receive 40 per cent of their salaries every 40 days or more. This has led to a recession in the Palestinian market and has also forced some employees to go into debt in order to buy school bags and supplies for the start of the new academic year.

Traders also lament that although Gaza suffered a war last year, the sales of stationary items and school bags were higher than those of this year. Gazans are currently suffering from a series of financial and social challenges due to the ongoing blockade imposed by Israel and the lack of job opportunities.

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