Gaza farmers fear another season of herbicide spraying by Israel

Posted on December 9, 2018
Saleh A-Najjar. Photo by Gisha

It is once again that time of year when farmers who cultivate land near Gaza’s perimeter fence nervously glance up at the sky, tensing up at any sound of a motor. Twice a year, Israel sends planes to spray chemical … Continue reading →

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A crack in the concrete ceiling

Posted on December 4, 2018

Majd Al Mashharawi, 24, is a young entrepreneur from the Gaza Strip. Among other innovations, she is the inventor of Green Cake, the environmentally friendly brick that can be used as an alternative to cement, which Israel limits from entering … Continue reading →

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The kids ask: ‘Why do we suddenly have electricity?’

Posted on November 25, 2018
Shops in the Strip at night, June 2018. Photo by Gisha

Fuel purchased with Qatari funding for Gaza’s only power plant has significantly increased Gaza’s power supply. After years of decreasing supply, much of the Gaza Strip now has electricity throughout the night. Continue reading →

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U.S. decision to end funds to UNRWA: yet another blow to dire living conditions in Gaza

Posted on September 4, 2018
Person carrying box of UNRWA supplies, the Gaza Strip. Photo by Gisha.

The U.S. decision to end funding to the UN agency dealing with Palestinian refugees threatens to further undermine well-being in the Strip amidst already dismal living conditions. Continue reading →

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Not Always Coca Cola

Posted on August 14, 2018
Coca-cola bottles. Photo by Pixabay

When a Coca Cola bottling factory opened in Gaza in 2016, it was regarded as a rare source of hope for the Strip, promising to boost economic activity and provide over 200 jobs to Gaza residents. But even the world-famous megacorporation is not immune to the realities of Israel’s sanctions at Kerem Shalom. Continue reading →

Posted in economic development, Gas, General, Movement of goods into Gaza, Movement of goods out of Gaza | 1 Comment

The story of Gaza’s solar-solution savant and her shipment stranded in Israel

Posted on July 30, 2018
Majd Al Mashharawi. Image taken from a Sun Box promotional clip

Twenty-four-year-old Majd Al Mashharawi is a young entrepreneur from Gaza and a founder of Sun Box, a company that manufactures small-scale solar power devices for home use. In early July, Majd and her colleagues finalized arrangements for a shipment of equipment to enter Gaza. But ever since July 10, when Israel closed the Kerem Shalom Crossing to all but food and fuel, the shipment has been stuck at the Port of Ashdod in Israel. Continue reading →

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Watching the World Cup in Gaza

Posted on July 15, 2018
Football fans watching a World Cup match in Gaza, July 2018. Photo by Gisha.

The communications company Jawwal recently installed a large screen on one of Gaza’s busiest streets, near the seafront, where residents gather to spend their leisure time. When Gisha’s field coordinator, Mohammed Azaiza, arrived at the spot about half an hour before the Brazil-Belgium match was due to begin, most of the seats were already taken. People from all walks of life attended the event; many were sitting on the sidewalk. Continue reading →

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“This year, we skipped importing specialty chocolates, so as to avoid losses”

Posted on June 17, 2018
Images: Markets in Gaza. Photos by Gisha

The days leading up to Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, used to be the busiest time of year for A., a Gaza chocolate distributor. He and his staff would start planning four months before the holiday. This year, Because of the dire economic situation in Gaza, further exacerbated over the past year by Israel’s tightening of the closure and the Palestinian Authority delaying salary payments to its employees in Gaza, A. says no one is buying chocolate. Continue reading →

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“Most of the customers just come to look or ask to pay later.”

Posted on June 14, 2018
Markets in Gaza, June 2018. Photo by Gisha

Eid al-Fitr, which begins tomorrow, is traditionally a festive holiday and a new outfit is a must to mark the occasion. This year, The dire economic situation in Gaza, further exacerbated over the last year by Israel’s tightening of the closure and the Palestinian Authority delaying salary payments to its employees in Gaza, has impacted sales Continue reading →

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The time for “humanitarian gestures” and punitive measures is up. Israel must recognize its responsibility for Gaza and take immediate action

Posted on June 11, 2018

Yesterday, the Israeli Security Cabinet convened for a discussion regarding possible measures to “assist with the humanitarian situation” in Gaza. It is both disturbing and discouraging to learn that the three-hour discussion was fruitless, and no decisions were reached. Israel’s political and military leadership have publicly acknowledged the substantial deterioration of living conditions in the Strip. Continue reading →

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