Qatayef tradition endures in Gaza as Ramadan approaches
Palestinians revive iconic dessert amid shortages, destruction, and ongoing restrictions, sustaining cultural rituals under harsh wartime conditions
GAZA CITY, Palestine (MNTV) — As Ramadan approaches, Palestinians across the Gaza Strip are reviving the long-standing tradition of making Qatayef, a popular Ramadan dessert, despite severe shortages and widespread destruction following two years of conflict.
In markets such as Khan Younis’s Garage Rafah area, shopkeepers are restarting seasonal businesses using makeshift wood-fired stoves, as fuel and cooking gas remain scarce. The aroma of the dessert, made from stuffed pancakes soaked in syrup, is once again filling the streets, signaling the arrival of the fasting month.
Veteran Qatayef maker Salim Al-Bayouk, known locally as the “King of Qatayef,” talking to Anadolu Agency, said he continues preparing the dessert by hand despite limited supplies and damage to his shop.
Al-Bayouk, who relocated from Rafah after Israeli military operations, said he remains determined to preserve the tradition despite operating under difficult conditions.
Qatayef, considered a staple on Palestinian Ramadan tables, is valued for its affordability and simple preparation.
However, shortages of cooking gas have forced many vendors to rely on wood fires to keep their businesses running. Local officials say Gaza requires around 20 truckloads of cooking gas daily, while only limited quantities have been allowed in since a ceasefire took effect in October.
To maintain affordability, Al-Bayouk said he reduced prices and employs seasonal workers during Ramadan, highlighting the dessert’s role in supporting livelihoods amid economic hardship.
Other vendors across Gaza are also setting up temporary stoves in tents, narrow streets, and displacement camps, determined to sustain Ramadan traditions despite restrictions and infrastructure devastation.
Resident Saeed Khalaf said Qatayef remains an essential dish for families during the holy month and expressed hope for a return to normal life and full implementation of ceasefire agreements.
The recent conflict, which began in October 2023, resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and widespread destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, according to local health authorities. Despite the ceasefire, violations and humanitarian challenges continue, complicating recovery and daily life.
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