Israel announced Sunday the suspension of aid entering the Gaza Strip and a complete closure of Gaza's borders to goods. This decision follows weeks during which a massive flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods, and international donations reached the territory.
As Ramadan begins – the Islamic holy month when Muslims fast during daylight hours and gather for elaborate family meals after sunset – videos emerging from Gaza reveal a striking contrast to the wartime scarcity: markets displaying relative abundance of consumer goods and food products.
Pens & Pins stationary and toy shop has reopened its main branch in Capital Mall, Gaza City.
Here we can see them preparing for reopening, posted on Instagram 4 days ago.#TheGazaYouDontSee
Link in 1st comment https://t.co/cUrY2ksOhW pic.twitter.com/NViBoNAjex— Imshin (@imshin) February 28, 2025
The "Imshin" project on the social media platform X regularly shares footage of everyday life in Gaza, aiming to counter Hamas propaganda claims and present English-speaking audiences with glimpses of life in Gaza as local bloggers and social media users choose to depict it. Recently, the page has featured numerous videos showcasing well-stocked Gaza markets preparing for Ramadan. One video shows the "Al Dafan" mall in Nuseirat where the delicatessen displays imported cheeses requiring refrigerated transport alongside various other products. Another clip from a recently renovated supermarket reveals fully stocked shelves.
Abdulrahman shares the festive Ramadan atmosphere in Gaza City this year.
TikTok timestamp: 23 hours ago#TheGazaYouDontSee
Link in 1st comment pic.twitter.com/W1IHsukBBM— Imshin (@imshin) March 1, 2025
In a different video, a newly opened branch of a confectionery chain proudly displays an array of sweets, nuts, and sweetened beverages that had been unavailable in Gaza throughout the past year. Another popular clip features blogger Alrahman, visibly pleased, touring Gaza City markets and highlighting the abundance of holiday goods – olives, nuts, pickles, legumes, snacks, and toys – all priced similarly to pre-war levels.
Choice of cheeses for Ramadan at Al-Danaf Hyper Mall, Nuseirat "refugee camp", Central Gaza Strip.
Instagram timestamp: 3 days ago#TheGazaYouDontSee
Link in 1st comment pic.twitter.com/dXbAThh6He— Imshin (@imshin) March 2, 2025
Social media users have also widely shared footage showing the return of qatayef – pancakes filled with nuts or cheese – to Gaza's streets ahead of Ramadan. Shawarma, another perpetually popular street food in Gaza, features prominently in many videos, with increased availability attributed to the chicken supply flowing across the Egyptian border.
Haj Restaurant and Shawarma, Gaza City.
Someone in the comments asks how much the plate of shawarma costs. The answer - 25 shekels ($7).
TikTok timestamp: 1 day ago#TheGazaYouDontSee
Link in 1st comment pic.twitter.com/8hpMw9YxBL— Imshin (@imshin) February 27, 2025
For Hamas, demonstrating its ability to restore economic functionality and meet residents' needs remains crucial to maintaining control. The terror organization not only permits the distribution of these videos but actively encourages them. Through local authorities under its control, Hamas has organized elaborate iftar meals with full-course dinners served at festive tables deliberately positioned near buildings damaged during the fighting.
It's critical to note that many Gaza residents continue to suffer from severe shortages of essential goods, particularly those outside Hamas' inner circle and civilian control mechanisms. Their hardship stems primarily from the unequal and politically motivated distribution of resources throughout Gaza rather than from overall scarcity.
