![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-Gaza651A9538.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-Gaza651A9513.jpg?w=797&h=531&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in Gaza651A9513")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-GazaIMG_9516.jpg?w=395&h=264&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in GazaIMG_9516")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-GazaIMG_9512.jpg?w=395&h=263&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in GazaIMG_9512")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-GazaIMG_9510.jpg?w=396&h=264&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in GazaIMG_9510")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-Gaza651A9591.jpg?w=396&h=264&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in Gaza651A9591")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-Gaza651A9588.jpg?w=396&h=264&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in Gaza651A9588")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-Gaza651A9585.jpg?w=395&h=264&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in Gaza651A9585")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-Gaza651A9569.jpg?w=395&h=263&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in Gaza651A9569")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-Gaza651A9558.jpg?w=797&h=531&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in Gaza651A9558")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-Gaza651A9555.jpg?w=596&h=397&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in Gaza651A9555")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-Gaza651A9538.jpg?w=596&h=397&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in Gaza651A9538")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-Gaza651A9537.jpg?w=797&h=531&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in Gaza651A9537")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-Gaza651A9533.jpg?w=395&h=264&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in Gaza651A9533")
![Palestinians head to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan in Gaza on 7 May 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19-05-07-Ramadan-in-Gaza651A9520.jpg?w=395&h=263&ssl=1 "19-05-07 Ramadan in Gaza651A9520")
As Gaza recovers from three days of Israeli bombardment, Palestinians have headed to the markets to ready themselves for Ramadan.
The Muslim month of fasting began yesterday while the enclave was still under Israeli bombardment.
With unemployment in Gaza reaching 52 per cent year, Israel’s constant wars and crippling siege have negatively affected Palestinians’ purchasing power, and the goods on offer.
The Palestinian Authority’s sanctions on Gaza further exacerbate living conditions in the Gaza Strip. The PA cut the salaries of thousands of employees and forced others in to retirement.
This year Ramadan sees Palestinians in Gaza not just fasting from food and drink, but also from non-essential items which have traditionally added to the atmosphere of this holy month.
READ: 830 residential apartments damaged in Israel’s attack on Gaza