Mazen al-Jerjawi would normally spend this time of year preparing for Eid al-Adha, selling the hundreds of sheep and goats he raised on his land as families across Gaza searched for animals to sacrifice during the holiday.
Today, however, the man once known as one of Gaza’s leading livestock breeders runs only a small restaurant, relying on frozen meat allowed into the besieged enclave under tight Israeli restrictions.
“At this time of year, I used to sell around 200 sheep and cows. Today, I have none,” Jerjawi, from Gaza City, told Middle East Eye.
“No live animals are being allowed into Gaza at all,” he added.
“Israel treats the people of Gaza as if they are living here temporarily, and what is allowed is merely to ‘keep things going’ at a minimal level.”
