People in Gaza are rushing to markets, trying to buy whatever food they can find. The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has sent shockwaves through this already fragile area, making daily life even more difficult.
Shoppers are facing rising prices and decreasing stock. In just a few days, the cost of fresh produce has skyrocketed. A kilogram of tomatoes that used to cost around $1.50 now hits almost $4. Vegetables like cucumbers and potatoes are also becoming unaffordable for many. One concerned shopper noted, “People can no longer afford to buy vegetables and fruits due to high prices.”
Hani Mahmoud from Al Jazeera reports that these changes highlight Gaza’s heavy reliance on border crossings to get food and supplies. Most essentials enter through trucks from Israel and Egypt. When these borders are shut or run at reduced capacity, everyone feels the impact—homes, markets, and hospitals all suffer.
Israel closed the crossings on February 28 due to escalated attacks on Iran, halting humanitarian aid. Although one crossing has reopened for limited aid, the overall access remains restricted. Egypt’s Rafah crossing is still closed, causing more strain on the already depleted resources.
Hanan Balkhy, the World Health Organization’s regional director, indicated that only about 200 trucks are currently entering Gaza, while around 600 are needed daily to support the population. Many people, including children needing medical evacuation, are still waiting.
The United Nations has voiced concern over this situation. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) emphasized that the closure of crossings has already begun to inflate prices. They noted that some essentials, including cooking oil and flour, have vanished from the shelves.
This situation dramatically contrasts with just a few weeks ago, when the World Food Programme reported some improvements in food availability and prices. Now, due to the recent closures, those gains have been erased.
Beyond rising prices, aid agencies say that the situation is affecting more than just food supplies. OCHA highlighted that limited fuel supplies have forced humanitarian efforts to cut back on services, such as waste collection and water production.
As food security remains fragile, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) indicated that although conditions had improved during a recent ceasefire, renewed conflict could quickly reverse those gains. The WFP cautioned that without consistent humanitarian access, food rations may be reduced for many families.
With uncertainty growing, residents of Gaza are left wondering if they will have access to essential food supplies in the near future.
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News, Gaza, Israel-Palestine conflict, Middle East, Palestine
