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Al Qarya as Suwaydiya (Arabic: القرية السويدية), known as Swedish village, is a village situated near Egypt–Gaza border in the Rafah Governorate, Gaza Strip. The village is often nicknamed "forgotten" due to the lack of basic services.[2]

History

Al Qarya as Suwaydiya was founded in 1965 with Swedish and international troops' assistance for the Palestinian refugees who were compelled to move from their homes in 1948. In 1982, several houses in the village were razed to expand the border strip.[3][4] In 1997, the village had population of 568.[5]

Al Qarya as Suwaydiya is proposed to be demolished because of the Al-Rashid road construction plan, which will pass the village, yet the villagers rejected that proposal.[2]

Economy

The villagers heavily depend on the fishing sector. However, the residents have endured economic hardship since 2007 due to the Blockade of the Gaza Strip and fishing prohibition imposed by Israel. Furthermore, the high level of marine production undermined the fishing industry in the village.[6] Due to the prohibition, many of the villagers are unemployed or work in the agricultural sector.[7]

Electricity

The village receives electricity from the generator four hours daily in the evening.[3]

References


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