Throngs of people lined up outside the Bank of Palestine branch in Gaza City, anxiously waiting to see if they would finally be able to access their funds for the first time in two years of war.

Two of the bank’s branches reopened their doors in Gaza this month, after the start of the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Banks in the Gaza Strip have largely been destroyed in the fighting, with just these branches, in Gaza City and in Deir Al-Balah, remaining.

However, the resumption of business in banks has been limited to administrative affairs, as safes still have no cash.

Ramadan Al-Jumla, 55, spent hours in line at the Gaza City branch. He made his way to the Bank of Palestine to do administrative work on his account after he got a statement on his mobile phone ab

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