Biggest Palestinian shopping mall being built in Gaza

Three-story retail complex near Gaza City will be first of its kind in Palestinian territories; set to open in mid-June.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Gaza shopping mall construction 311 (photo credit: ISAFA/Courtesy)
Gaza shopping mall construction 311
(photo credit: ISAFA/Courtesy)
The biggest Palestinian shopping mall is scheduled to open in the Gaza Strip in mid-June.
This will be the second shopping mall to open in the Gaza Strip in a year. Last July, Palestinians opened a two-story mall that includes a supermarket, international clothing stores, a food court, beauty products, a children’s playground and a restaurant.
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The modern three-story complex is the first of its kind in the Palestinian territories, said Ehab al-Issawi, executive director of the Al-Hayat Tureed Company that owns the mall.
He said that the 3,000 squaremeter shopping mall is located near the Haidar Abdel Shafi Square west of Gaza City.
Issawi told the Palestinian news agency Safa that construction work at the new mall was almost complete. He said that Palestinian engineers and architects have been working on the project since August last year.
Issawi added that despite the shortage of building materials caused by the blockade on the Gaza Strip, the work at the site continued without disruption.
Issawi explained that the first floor would house a huge supermarket that would consist of various departments offering food and household items as well as stationary.
The second floor would have many clothes and gift shops, while the third floor would become home to a large restaurant, a modern coffee shop, a cinema and entertainment sites for children.