Alhamdulillah - A Sweet Sign of Life: Beloved Gaza Confectionery Reopens
As-salamu alaykum. After two years away, the scent of syrup and toasted nuts is once again filling the streets of Gaza city. Abu Al Soud Sweets has been rebuilt, and trays of golden knafeh are glistening under the lights - a sight many here feared they'd never see again.
For generations, Abu Al Soud represented Gaza’s flavours and culture. It was burned and destroyed in the fighting, so its reopening feels like a small but meaningful sign of recovery amid the rubble.
Gaza city endured relentless bombardment and severe shortages during the offensive. A ceasefire helped end the ground operations, though the threat of further strikes has not entirely vanished. Still, reopening this shop is a quiet reminder that life can continue.
Khaled Abu Ouda, who’s worked at the shop for more than 15 years, smiled when he spoke about coming back. “We’re back at one of Gaza’s most famous sweet shops, serving sweets people have loved for generations,” he said. He stressed that it isn’t just about selling desserts but about restoring a beloved part of Gaza’s soul. “We want to bring back those old days, to remind people of the beautiful past they lived here.”
The shop offers many treats - baklava, asawer, namoura, and Arabic knafeh - but the Nabulsi knafeh, with its stretchy cheese, orange crust and syrup, remains the star. “It’s a recipe from Nablus, passed down through the family,” Mr Abu Ouda said proudly. “It’s more than a dessert. It’s part of our identity and our history.”
Rebuilding wasn’t easy. Ingredients were scarce, prices had risen, and Gaza’s fragile economy made restarting a business very difficult, especially for a shop that needs imported supplies. “We tried to keep prices close to what they were before the war,” he added. “People are struggling, and sweets should bring joy, not more burden.”
Still, he called the reopening “a message of life and hope.” “Gaza’s spirit, history, and people will not die. We can rise again after war, loss, and destruction,” he said.
When the doors opened, people flocked in, drawn by the aroma of syrup and melted cheese. Ragheb, 27, was one of the first customers. “The reopening gave me hope that Gaza can live again,” he said. “I tried the knafeh the first day and it tasted the same as before. We Gazans love knafeh, and Abu Al Soud’s really is irresistible.”
For many, the return of the shop meant more than food - it meant joy on the streets again. “People here love life. Despite everything, they celebrate whenever they can. Abu Al Soud’s reopening showed we can still find happiness,” he added.
Mohammed, 41, called the shop “a landmark we’re proud of,” describing the reopening as “life returning to the city’s spirit.” “Abu Al Soud has been here since I was born,” he said. “It’s not just a shop - it’s heritage and history. Their sweets are unmatched, especially the knafeh. You can taste the Palestinian essence in it.”
In a place where bakeries and markets often sit beside ruins, the sight of fresh sweets behind glass counters is a quiet act of resilience. “No matter how hard life gets, Gaza’s love for sweets never fades,” Mr Abu Ouda said.
May Allah grant ease and healing to the people of Gaza, and may small signs of recovery continue to return to the streets. Salam.
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