Rafah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP)

With a seasoned hand, a courier carries a tray and with the other holds his bicycle handlebars, then slips between the cars: with the "Chaabane" cafes, the Gaza Strip has its first delivery service such as Deliveroo or Uber Eats.

No big square backpacks in garish colors as is customary in Europe and North America, but just a tray and a few cups of hot Arabic coffee, covered with a square foil to prevent splashing .

Chaabane Hammouda, 31, a business management graduate, in May launched his hot drink service delivered by bicycle from a small stall he set up near Rafah market in the southern Gaza Strip.

A stove, a few saucepans and dozens of cardboard cups: everything is there to prepare café au lait, Arabic coffee, mint tea.

Customers only need to contact him by Whatsapp messaging for one of his employees to prepare the order. Then one of them gets on his bicycle and brings the steaming drink to the customer.

"People like what is new, I have received encouragement from many people," said Mr. Hammouda, who does not charge the delivery but only the ordered drink. "We use bicycles to attract the attention of the public and it has proven to be effective."

The father-of-two discovered on Youtube the trend of bicycle home delivery of meals, which has taken hold of major Western cities in recent years.

In Gaza, income is satisfactory even if the young entrepreneur noted a decrease in the inflow of money against the backdrop of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The Palestinian enclave, under Israeli blockade for more than 10 years, has been relatively untouched by the pandemic, with 76 cases of infected people, one of whom has died.

But the crisis has weighed down, as in many places, economic activity at a time when local authorities are under pressure to increase both health and economic stimulus measures.

- The smell of coffee -

Ali Abou Jayab, one of the four delivery men, could not afford university studies because he comes from a poor family.

"There is no hope for young people in the Gaza Strip," said the 25-year-old man, who is delighted to have found work with Mr. Hammouda.

"Cycling is synonymous with freedom of movement, it's sport, it's fun and free of charge. It's a good idea and people love it," said the young man.

Owner of a perfume shop, Sameh Jouda let himself be captivated by the smell of Chaabane Hammouda's coffee.

“I started by ordering a little coffee a week, and now it's one a day,” he smiles.

"The idea of ​​Chaabane is good and innovative, and in addition it is very profitable since the bikes do not require gasoline", he notes, saying he appreciates the speed of delivery and the ease of ordering via Whatsapp. .

Despite the poverty and unemployment rates, which are both around 50% in the enclave, "young people have innovative ideas that can enable them to find sources of income," said Mr. Jouda.

© 2020 AFP