Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak
The gold industry in Gaza has thrived amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in terms of increased production locally and enhanced quality and availability of a variety of gold products and jewelry.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Al-Qaysariyya gold market is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.
The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.
In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque — also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza — that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.
The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports — thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.
