Feature: Gazans celebrate Valentine's Day amid harsh living conditions

Amid a deteriorating economy and harsh living conditions, young sweethearts in the impoverished Gaza Strip attempt to cheer up their loved ones on Valentine's Day Sunday.

Stacked outside several souvenir shops in Gaza's downtown city are red and white flowers, teddy bears and other items prepared for customers.

Ahmed al-Zeiti, a 25-year-old man from Gaza, with a rather low income, is delighted to browse through the flower and souvenir shops in Gaza city to buy red roses for his fiance on Valentine's Day.

Although poverty and unemployment rates are high and rising in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip which has now been under a nine-year-old Israeli blockade, al-Zeiti opted for a cheaper gift for his fiancé and to spend a beautiful day with her on this special occasion, their first Valentine's Day since their engagement.

"I don't have enough cash to buy my fiancé a prettier gift, but I can't have Valentine's pass without getting her something, even if it is only a bunch of red roses," said al-Zeiti smiling widely whilst receiving the roses from the store salesman.

A fresh college graduate, al-Zeiti is hopeful about next Valentine's Day.

"Gazans will celebrate it with joy once their living conditions improve, the Israeli siege is lifted and Palestinian rival groups end their internal discord and achieve permanent reconciliation," he said.

The vast majority of the 1.8 million Gazans are suffering due to current difficulties in the enclave. With increasing poverty and unemployment rates, thousands of employees don't receive their full salaries.

Basem Abdo owns a flower shop in Gaza and told Xinhua "This year, very few people bought gifts for their sweethearts although prices are not as high as last year."

"I think the high unemployment and poverty rates, as well as employees not receiving their salaries in full dramatically influenced this year's business," said Abdo, adding "in previous years, when the economy was slightly better, business was naturally better than this year. I don't know what next Valentine's Day will be like."

A nine-year long Israeli blockade on Gaza severely weakened its economy.

The last Israeli war waged against the enclave in 2014 worsened people's suffering.

This Valentine's day, Gazan restaurants, hotels and cafés didn't celebrate it as Hamas, the Islamic ruling movement, forbids it.

Yet nothing can stop people from expressing love and care towards their loved ones.

Abu el-Wafa Eleiwa, in his mid 50s, told Xinhua whilst purchasing flowers "The three rose bunches will go to my beloved wife and my two daughters to show them how much I love them."

Eleiwa said every Valentine's Day, the whole family gathers around a special dinner in the evening. "This is the least we can do to maintain our cheerful spirits during the harsh living conditions," he said.

"The world is celebrating Valentine's Day freely and lovingly. Under an endless siege, in Gaza are we celebrate the day our own way," said Mo'az Amoudi, a social media activist.

Mustafa Ibrahim, a Palestinian social media activist wrote on his account that "on the occasion of the Day of Depression, don't commit suicide, rather show yourselves some love."

Fadi Hassani, another social media activist wrote on his page "Fight life's miseries and live lovingly daily. Make everyday Valentine's Day." Endit