Gaza Herald _Panic has spread across Gaza after Israel closed the territory’s border crossings following the start of the US-Israel war on Iran last week, raising new fears that severe hunger could return to the already devastated enclave.
As news of the closures circulated, Palestinians hurried to local markets to buy basic supplies before they disappeared. Within hours, the prices of essential goods, particularly vegetables, began rising sharply, reflecting the immediate impact of the shutdown.
Because Gaza relies almost entirely on border crossings for the entry of food and other basic necessities, any disruption to those crossings quickly affects local markets and household budgets.
For Ibrahim Madoukh, a father of eight living in Gaza City’s al-Sahaba neighborhood, the sudden price increases are already threatening his family’s fragile income.
Since the October ceasefire, Madoukh has been running a small falafel stall to support his household. Business had been steady, he said, largely because his prices remained affordable for struggling residents.
However, the rising cost of ingredients has forced him to increase his prices, even as many customers can no longer afford to buy from him.
“The economic situation in Gaza has been worsening since the war,” Madoukh said. “Many people simply cannot afford what little is available in the markets.”
When he heard the crossings had been shut, Madoukh rushed to purchase supplies before they ran out. Instead, he found the markets packed with residents trying to do the same.
Prices rose almost immediately. A kilogram of onions that previously cost three shekels (about $1) now sells for around 15 shekels (about $5). Cooking oil has climbed from roughly five shekels to 13, while parsley prices have increased nearly eightfold.
“Traders say prices are climbing because the crossings are closed and supplies are limited,” he explained.
Madoukh has already been forced to change the price of his falafel, raising it from two pieces for one shekel to a single piece for two shekels.
Even with the increase, many customers can no longer afford it.
“Before the crossings closed, displaced children sometimes came to my stall asking for falafel because they were hungry and had no money,” he said. “I used to give it to them for free, but now I can’t. I’m already losing money.”
If prices continue to rise or ingredients disappear entirely, Madoukh fears he may soon have to shut his stall.
“I only have enough supplies to last about a week,” he said. “If this situation continues, we could face the same hunger we experienced before.”
‘Our Lives Are Already Hell’
Israel shut all crossings into Gaza on Saturday shortly after the conflict with Iran began, halting the movement of people, humanitarian aid and goods.
The Karem Abu Salem crossing with Israel reopened partially on Tuesday, allowing limited amounts of fuel and aid to enter. However, other crossings, including Rafah on the Egyptian border, remain closed.
The United Nations has urged that more crossings be reopened to allow humanitarian assistance to reach Gaza, particularly as many NGOs face restrictions on their operations.
Not far from Madoukh’s stall, Ahmed al-Shoubaki, 39, was buying supplies for his family. Holding a large bag filled with canned goods, tahini, ghee, spices and olive oil, he carefully asked a vendor about the price of sugar.
“Since the crossings were closed on Saturday, I’ve been coming to the market every day to buy whatever I can and store it at home,” Shoubaki said.
“My wife and I decided to save basic staples like flour, cooking oil and canned food, and only buy daily necessities while they’re still available.”
Before the war in Gaza, Shoubaki worked as a painter, but shortages of construction materials forced him to abandon the trade. He later opened a small food stall selling kebab and grilled chicken, but he had to close it last month because sales dropped dramatically.
His experience reflects that of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza who have lost their livelihoods as entire sectors of the economy have collapsed.
“The economy in Gaza has completely collapsed,” he said. “There’s no work, so people cannot cope with rising prices.”
When he heard about the war involving Iran, Shoubaki spent more than $1,000, nearly all his savings, to buy enough supplies for a month.
“I don’t know how I will manage later, but I had no choice,” he said. “Last Ramadan my children cried because they were hungry. I cannot allow that to happen again.”
Shoubaki said Gaza is being forced to endure the consequences of a war it has no role in.
“Why must Gaza pay the price for conflicts it has nothing to do with?” he asked. “Our lives are already unbearable because of the siege, destruction and hunger.
“Sometimes it feels like death would be kinder than continuing to live like this. I fear the crossings will stay closed for a long time, and our suffering will only grow.”
Vulnerable Families Struggle the Most
Although many residents rushed to buy food, most families in Gaza can only afford enough supplies for a single day due to soaring prices and extremely limited incomes.
Rana Rajab, 38, a mother of six daughters, worries that the closure of the crossings could once again push Gaza into famine. Yet her family cannot afford to stockpile food.
Her husband works as a mechanic on a day-to-day basis, meaning their income and ability to buy food, changes daily.
“Since the ceasefire began, we have been living with poverty and hunger,” Rajab said.
“On days when my husband finds work, we buy food. On days when he doesn’t, we depend on charity kitchens or whatever aid we can find.”
The rising cost of goods has made their situation even more difficult.
“Many items, especially vegetables, have doubled in price,” she explained.
Rajab recalled how last year’s famine affected her family. Her youngest daughter, five-year-old Haya, contracted hepatitis and had to be hospitalized for several days.
Now she has already begun reducing both the size and number of meals her family eats in anticipation of further shortages.
“Before the war, during Ramadan, we used to eat chicken, fish, or meat every day,” she said. “I cooked many different dishes and sometimes prepared two meals in one day to share with relatives and neighbors.
“Now we struggle just to feed ourselves.”
She was shocked by recent market prices.
“Yesterday, chicken cost 46 shekels per kilogram—more than double its usual price of about 20. I couldn’t buy it, so we ate lentils that I had stored, even though my children hate them because they remind them of last year’s famine.”
Rajab fears each new crisis leaves families weaker than before.
“Every time famine returns, it feels worse than the last time,” she said.
“We hope the United Nations and world powers will pressure Israel to allow food and aid into Gaza.
“We are not responsible for the wars between Israel and other countries, yet we are the ones paying the price.”
