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Gaza factories remain paralyzed despite Israel pledge to ease blockade
The chilled Tropika that Salama al-Kishawi proudly serves guests in his office tastes, unusually for a processed Juice, of real oranges–especially refreshing on a 35C midsummer day in Gaza. But the flagship product of the Gaza Juice Factory has a significance that goes way beyond its taste.
The factory employs 65 workers and is one of very few industries to function despite the siege of Gaza imposed by Israel after Hamas seized full control of the territory three years ago this month.
How long it continues to function may well depend on just how the deal easing the Israeli blockade announced last Sunday works in practice. The future of Tropika has become a litmus test for Gaza's real economy.