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Following is an excerpt from a report on a new shopping mall that opened recently in Gaza. The report aired on Al-Arabiya TV on August 27, 2010.
Reporter: In this shopping center, thousands of Gazans have begun to buy their food and clothing. It was named the "Gaza Mall” by its owners, a group of Palestinian businessmen, some of whom are affiliated with Hamas.
Salesman: It is a pleasure to do all your shopping in one place. Families spend two hours or more here, enjoying themselves shopping. The number of shoppers and visitors is growing day by day.
Shopper no. 1: We have begun to feel that there is some progress like in the Gulf states. This is a humble start, but Allah be praised, there is progress.
Reporter: In the airconditioned two-storey building, there are dozens of shops selling shoes, clothes, perfumes, and accessories. The shelves are packed with foreign, Israeli, and Arab products. On the ground floor, there is a supermarket and a small restaurant.
Shopper no. 2: The prices of some products are high, while others are reasonable. We manage.
Shopper no. 3: It's a new thing for us. You can get anything here. I don’t know how they get all these things, with the siege and all.
Shopper no. 4: It is as if there’s no siege at all. People are buying things. They all want to make their children happy.
Reporter: It is modest compared to shopping centers in the neighboring countries, but some people here consider it a step forward.
This is Hannan Al-Masri, Al-Arabiya TV, from Gaza.