‘No income, no life’: Jerusalem’s Old City suffers as Israel-Gaza war rages

The once vibrant streets of Jerusalem's Old City have become eerily silent due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. This war has deterred tourists, leading to a significant loss of income for the city. The Old City, a labyrinth of shopping streets surrounding sacred sites, has seen most of its businesses shut down nearly a month into the war. The few remaining shopkeepers, courageous enough to open their stores, wait in vain for the return of tourists. Marwan Attieh, a 48-year-old third-generation tour guide and souvenir shop owner, laments the demise of the tourism industry. He expresses his concern about supporting his family without any business, income, or life. He questions how one can spend money when there is none to spend.

The walled Old City, located in the annexed eastern part of Jerusalem, houses some of the most sacred sites for Christians, Jews, and Muslims. It has been a magnet for pilgrims and travelers for centuries. However, Jerusalem's once thriving tourism sector has virtually collapsed since October 7. On this day, Hamas militants from Gaza launched an attack that resulted in the death of at least 1,400 people, as per Israeli officials. In retaliation, Israel has launched a relentless bombing campaign against the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, resulting in the death of over 9,000 people, primarily civilians, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered by most Christians as the site of Jesus' crucifixion and burial, was largely deserted on Thursday, with only a few priests present. Pietro Mazzocco, a 31-year-old Italian seminary student studying in Jerusalem, reminisces about the time when the place was bustling with people praying and seeking spiritual solace. Now, it stands empty. Many residents of the predominantly Palestinian-populated Old City are fearful of leaving their homes due to harassment and physical violence by Israeli security forces.