The Rise of Thieves’ Markets in Gaza: A Reflection of Resilience and Desperation

A Glimpse into Gaza’s Thieves’ Markets

As Mahmoud al-Jabri wandered through a bustling market overflowing with a bizarre assortment of items—from pilfered children’s shoes to worn-out plumbing pipes—he was taken aback to discover something that struck a personal chord: his own collection of books. Among the eclectic array, he spotted his inaugural published poetry collection, its pages adorned with his own handwritten notes and reflections in the margins. It was an unsettling experience to see his life’s work, reduced to a mere commodity, with a vendor casually offering it for a mere 5 shekels, or approximately $1.

With a hint of irony, the salesman suggested that the book’s pages might serve better as kindling for a fire than as a literary treasure. “I was torn between two feelings,” Mahmoud remarked, “laughter and bitterness.” This juxtaposition encapsulated the harsh reality in Gaza, where even the art of poetry can be exploited in times of desperation.

In the wake of the devastation wrought by Israel’s extensive military operations, launched in response to Hamas-led attacks on October 7, a sense of pervasive lawlessness has taken root within the enclave. Amid the rubble of cities and the displacement of countless families, a phenomenon known as the “thieves’ markets” has emerged, as locals have come to call them.

These makeshift markets have proliferated throughout Gaza, showcasing a range of stolen goods—everything from personal belongings looted from homes to medical supplies pilfered from hospitals. In a grim irony, as Israel continues to enforce strict blockades on the flow of goods into the region, these markets have transformed into vital hubs where Gazans can find essential items for daily life.

For many, visiting these markets has become an exhausting routine, a necessary endeavor to reclaim fragments of their lost lives. As they sift through the remnants of what once was, the resilience of the people shines through, highlighting the struggle to find normalcy in a landscape marred by conflict.