Gaza's traditional crafts industries rapidly disappearing

When Gazans think of better economic times, images of clay pottery, colourful glassware, bamboo furniture and ancient frame loom weaving bright rugs and mats all come to mind.

Palestinian worker weaves carpets on a traditional wooden loom at a carpets factory in Gaza City. (Photo | AP) 

Palestinian Tarek Khalaf uses a flame to form bamboo at his family's workshop in Gaza City. (Photo | AP)

a Palestinian worker uses a pottery wheel to construct pots, at a pottery workshop in Gaza City. (Photo | AP)

Traditional weaving carpets tools hang on a wooden loom at a carpets factory in Gaza City. (Photo | AP)

A Palestinian works at a bamboo workshop in Gaza City. (Photo | AP)

A Palestinian worker weaves carpets on a traditional wooden loom at a carpets factory in Gaza City. (Photo | AP)

A Palestinian worker prepares the clay at a pottery workshop in Gaza City. (Photo | AP)

Palestinians, work at a pottery workshop in Gaza City. (Photo | AP)

Abed Abu Sedou, removes the dust from samples of hand-painted glasses are displayed on a table in his closed glass factory in Gaza City. (Photo | AP)

Palestinian Mahmoud al-Sawwaf, the owner of a traditional carpets factory, displays his products in Gaza City. (Photo | AP)