Gaza flowers' export affected by volcanic ash

Flowers from the Gaza Strip could not be exported to Europe, owing to restrictions on flights due to the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland, Palestinian officials said Tuesday.

In the Gaza Strip, where Israel has imposed a blockade since 2007, farmers struggled until Holland's government convinced Israel to allow some export of roses that are planted here in a Dutch-funded project.

But Mohammed Zuaid, a coordinator of the Dutch project, said the last two shipments of flowers are stranded in Israel and further exports have been suspended, predicting "hundreds of thousands of dollars" in losses.

Thirty million roses should be shipped out from Gaza before the end of April to catch the season, Mr. Zuaid said.

Source:Xinhua