Amani Shaath is a 25-year-old Palestinian woman from Gaza. She studied accounting and business administration, but following her marriage, she did not continue her studies, and thus never graduated.

However, she did not give up on her entrepreneurial mindset. A few weeks ago, Amani opened her Salta Burger, a small kiosk where she makes all kinds of burger sandwiches. 

Salta is the Arabic name of the popular fictional character Mr. Krab, from the American animated television series SpongeBob. The idea of a burger place is, indeed, inspired by the Krusty Krab, the fast food restaurant owned by Mr. Salta. 

The kiosk offers Amani a window of hope, saving her from unemployment. 

Under a hermetic Israeli siege, The Gaza Strip is the home of over two million Palestinians. 

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate in Gaza reached 45%.

Amani is one of those unemployed youths, that is until Salta Burger saved the day. The small burger joint provides the young woman with a source of income to support her 4-year-old child, Qusay.

The Palestine Chronicle visited Salta Burger and testifies to the exquisite taste of Amanis cooking. 

Enjoy the gallery .. ...

A few weeks after the Israeli war in Gaza subsided, taking the impoverished Strip back to a status quo of a hermetic siege and economic blockade, artists from across the area gathered to play music.

The music beat radiating from the Orthodox Cultural Center in Gaza City oscillated between old and new, Arabic Maqamat and Rock, Oud, and guitar.

Though East and West rarely meet politically, in Gaza, thanks to many local talents, they found a common ground through music.

Palestinian artists in Gaza have taken part in the French-initiated Fte de la Musique since 1998. The Israeli occupation made it difficult for the new tradition to take hold.

Now, Music Day, or Make Music Day, is back.

The idea is to allow musicians, whether professional or amateur, to take music to ordinary people, in every street and every neighborhood, Ihab Abu Muamar, from the cultural center told the Palestine Chronicle.

We just want to bring joy to people. We dont impose any kind of music on our audiences. Today, we introduced Rock music to Gaza, but of course, Arabic music was strongly present throughout the day, Abu Muamar added.

It was then-Frances minister of Culture, Jack Lang who is credited for originating the idea. Over time, 120 countries some estimate the number to be as high as 172 have participated in the global initiative, which aims at making music accessible to everyone.

The Palestine Chronicle attended the Music Day event in Gaza and brought you these photos.

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UNRWA is facing a dire financial crisis that could end all services to Palestinian refugees as soon as August. This would be devastating to the millions of Palestinians who rely on the agency for essential services.