The Israelis will tell you many stories of arms being smuggled into Gaza. Maybe or maybe not. It’s a life-risking business as the explosives have to be handled with care. However, I’m more concerned about the smuggling of drugs especially the recreational ones. Addictive and dangerous, their use is increasing on an alarming rate. Many people, especially the youngsters, try to escape the reality of worthlessness of life. The drugs addiction makes them feel high and forget about the misery. These drugs have a negative impact on their health. Some drugs are also used to boost sexual libido and cancel frustration. Campaigns are regularly launched in Gaza to spread awareness among the Palestinians about these destructive drugs.

young persons tunnel

Photo - Hatem Omar/Maan Images

I’ll stay with the tunnels for a while as there is an important story to be told. Most of the people working in these tunnels are young and educated youth of Gaza who have been rendered jobless due to the Israeli siege. They cannot work in Gaza as there are no jobs due to the Israeli financial blockade of the Hamas government and private businesses. There is no way to leave the country to go abroad and seek higher education or work as Egypt or Israel won’t let that happen. As a result, these people work in scorching heat for 12 hours a day and earn no more than $20.

One laborer told me it takes an investment of $100,000 to dig a tunnel. “It’s a gamble. We dig a tunnel meters deep into the ground but it can be busted by Israel with a few bombs. All our money can get buried in the sand along with us,'”a young Gazan told me. Everyone I met there feared for their lives but had no other option but to carry on digging and bringing in goods to Gaza. “We leave our family early in the morning worrying we may not come back home in the evening. But life goes on.”

I buy my present and leave the place quickly. At times one can see Israeli drones hovering in the sky, a sign of lurking death and havoc!

busy bazaar gaza

Photo - Getty Images

Now I’m on my way home and I’m having a brief stopover at the Gaza City market. I need to do some grocery shopping for my home but I’m having some problems finding the stuff I’ve been asked to bring. And even if I do find it, the prices are so high…

This is a common quandary for Palestinians in Gaza Strip. Buy? What to buy? How much to buy? And for what price? One may get the impression that there is wholesale hoarding going on in the market. But that’s not true. The traders here are innocent people and everyone is frustrated about the shortage of food. They buy items at a price that’s already steep but need to sell it at a price with which they can make a profit so that other items can be bought for the household. It’s the wartime economics here…

gas shortage

Photo - Abid Katib/Getty Images/LIFE