Gaza/Jerusalem - The electric lanterns and ornate decorations of Ramadaan would normally be hanging in the streets of Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem by now, but not this year amid coronavirus restrictions and growing economic woes.
With two deaths and 335 infected cases reported, different coronavirus regulations have been imposed by Hamas in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and by Israel in East Jerusalem, where Muslim religious authorities have stopped worship at the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest place in Islam..
"Such a decision was the first in 1,400 years, it is tough, and it pains our hearts," said Sheikh Omar Al-Kiswani, the director of Al-Aqsa Mosque. "People are coming to the market to waste time, they are entertaining themselves after the cafes are closed," said Sameh Abu Shaban, 57, who owns a store selling dates and sweets. "No-one is buying."
Same as everyone else?