This article was originally published by the Maan News and is republished with permission.

Hazim, a Palestinian Authority (PA) employee in Jenin showed us the grocery list he was carrying in his pocket and put his other hand on his head, wondering where he would get the money to buy even basic needs.

"What shall I do now?" he said, "the month has just started and I'm still waiting for the salary to buy things I need. I don't think of buying more than that since my salary only covers basic needs, how would I, when Ramadan means higher prices than all other days?"

Hazim says that during a normal month, he waits and waits for his salary from the cash-strapped PA. When his check finally arrives, he spends it all on the necessities of life. If there is a wedding in his family, he goes into debt. He said he also went into debt to pay school expenses for his five children.

During Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began on Monday, the necessity of celebrating and preparing special meals has become a burden for ordinary Palestinians.

Tariq, another Jenin resident we met, said: "Ramadan is a chance for merchants to increase prices and make a quick profit. The prices of foods and vegetables that are very much required in this month increase over what they were before the beginning of the month, which places a burden on our shoulders."

Merchants in Jenin, on the other hand, say that they are doing less business during the first two days of Ramadan this year. They blamed the fact that the PA, the largest employer in the West Bank, is late paying its employees.

The merchants also blamed an Israeli decision to prevent Palestinian citizens of Israel from buying goods from the market there. They said this decision was a major shock for Jenin's economy, as thousands used to come from northern Israel to shop at the beginning of Ramadan.