Before dawn on the outskirts of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, Palestinians gather at a livestock market to buy sheep and goats.
While it is still dark, trucks roll in from surrounding villages, driven by traditional shepherds and farmers bringing their animals to an open square.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, from 6 to 9 a.m., customers arrive near Balata Refugee Camp. Some huddle against the morning chill, warming themselves beside a small bonfire improvised from an old sofa.
Prices are negotiated on the spot, depending on each animal’s size, weight, and overall condition. On average, a sheep sells for around 40 shekels (about $13) per kilogram. Residents say livestock prices have risen in recent years, partly due to shrinking grazing land, which they attribute to violent actions by Israeli settlers.
Demand increases ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, though the market’s busiest and most significant season comes during Eid al-Adha, when the ritual sacrifice of sheep holds deep religious and cultural meaning.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
