In Gaza, pre-Ramadan shopping's in full-swing. This from Reuters:
Colourful lines of candies, dairy products, pickles, dates and snacks crowd market stall and shelves of stores in Gaza City's main market that were scantily stocked last year . . .
Pre-Ramadan shoppers were drawn to exotic labels and brands unseen for a few years, including many made-in-Israel goods.
The shelves are full of different kinds of dates, an essential Ramadan delicacy now imported from various countries.
But a Hamas witch-hunt for collaborators — real and imagined — may ruin the holiday cheer. According to YNet News:
News stories about bodies found at sea are occasionally published by Gaza newspapers. The number of such bodies isn't huge, yet not all those drowning victims chose to go swimming voluntarily. The Gazans who found their death at sea include mid-level officials at sensitive government ministries, the Interior Ministry for example, alongside police and security officers.
Some of them were shot in the head before being sent on their swim.
If you think Hamas wouldn't wage a violent campaign during the Muslim holy month, which begins on Wednesday, think again. The 1973 Yom Kippur war is referred to by Arabs as The Ramadan War; it's but one of many Arab battles fought during Ramadan.
My understanding is that Ramadan — among other things — is a time of reconciliation among Muslims. Doesn't sound like the kind of holiday spirit anyone would associate with Hamas.
