Life Under the Gaza "Siege"

Egyptians are beginning to notice that life in Gaza -- despite the blockade -- is often cheaper, more convenient and easier than in their country.

In a recent article in the Egyptian weekly, Rooz Al-Yousuf, journalist Muhammad Hamadi, questions what ‘siege’ in Gaza people are talking about, noting that life under ‘siege’ in Gaza is cheaper, more convenient and easier than in Egypt, where the people would love such a ‘siege’.

According to the article, translated to English by MEMRI, Hamadi refers to a report published by Hamas, comparing the prices of goods and produce in Egypt and Gaza. The report notes that fruit, vegetables, beef and poultry are much cheaper and more accessible in Gaza, which is supposedly under ‘siege’ than they are in Egypt. According to Hamadi, goods and produce are streaming in to Gaza at such a rapid rate that supply is greater than demand and that as a result, prices are much cheaper there than in Egypt.

Hamadi questions:

So what siege are they talking about? Does the siege cause prices to drop? And how are goods flowing into Gaza despite the siege?

He concludes by suggesting:

If this is what it's like in Gaza under siege, then the Egyptian people…[should] pray to Allah to smite them with [such a] siege, if the siege will lead to lower prices and make it possible for every common citizen to buy eggs, meat, and poultry like the Gaza residents do.