Palestinian farmers started harvesting dates in the Gaza Strip

Palestinian farmers living in Khan Younis city of the Gaza Strip have started harvesting dates, which are considered the backbone of the regional economy. The Ministry of Agriculture in the Gaza Strip opens the date harvest season every year at the end of September. Date production stands out as a source of income for the majority of Gazans who suffer from difficult economic and living conditions due to the Israeli blockade. Farmer Naim al-Astal, who started harvesting the dates on his land, told the AA correspondent that he has been growing dates for more than 40 years and that he inherited this profession from his grandfather and father. Pointing out that the oldest tree on his land is more than 80 years old and that these trees are of great importance to Palestinians, Astal stated that his family members help him with daily maintenance of the trees, fertilization, and cleaning of weeds. Astal stated that with the start of the date harvest season, job opportunities have arisen ...