Gaza Families Brace for Food Scarcity as Israel Halts Commercial Imports Amid Price Surge

Prices for essential food items are escalating daily in Gaza, marking the fifth consecutive day of Israeli restrictions on commercial goods imports. Families already struggling under the enclave's siege are now stocking up on available provisions, fearing impending shortages and further price hikes. The cost of staples such as flour, eggs, and onions has significantly increased since Wednesday, when Israel announced a halt to commercial goods entering Gaza. This measure follows a dispute over fees between Palestinian merchants and Hamas, which retains some authority in the strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza have been pushed into poverty since October 2023, when Israel initiated its war on Gaza. The conflict and Israel's tightened siege have led to soaring prices for basic goods while incomes have plummeted. Residents lacking the means to purchase in bulk will be compelled to buy food as they can, facing the brunt of daily price increases if the border remains closed.

The impact of Israel's import restrictions is evident in Gaza's marketplaces, which are experiencing slightly higher foot traffic than usual. Ismail al-Barawi, a 52-year-old from Jabalia in northern Gaza, observed a substantial price increase within two to three days of the crossings closing on Wednesday. He described a familiar cycle of uncertainty in Gaza regarding the status of the crossings, invariably followed by elevated prices. Al-Barawi noted that a carton of eggs, previously priced at 35 shekels ($11.34), is now selling for 60 to 70 shekels ($18 to $21). The price of a kilogram of onions has risen from five or six shekels ($1.50–$1.80) to eight to 10 shekels ($2.40–$3), and a kilogram of avocados has jumped from seven or eight shekels ($2.10–$2.40) to approximately 15 shekels ($4.50).

“These increases happened in just two or three days,” he stated, expressing concern about future prices if the crossings remain closed for another 10 to 15 days. The price hikes have forced him to reduce the quantity of his purchases. Instead of a full carton of 30 eggs, he now buys only four or five. “Today, everyone is trading at the expense of the people. There is no mercy,” he lamented, criticizing traders for exacerbating shortages by raising prices upon hearing of potential border closures.

Al-Barawi anticipates that a 50 kg sack of flour could reach 200 or even 300 shekels ($60–$90) if the crossings stay shut. Responsible for feeding his extended family of about 11 or 12 people, including his married daughters and their children, he prioritizes basic goods like flour, rice, cooking oil, onions, and potatoes whenever funds allow. Given the prevailing uncertainty, stocking up on essentials before further price increases seems prudent. However, many families in Gaza lack the financial means for such measures. “Some people cannot even afford to feed themselves for a day. How much can they save or store when they have no money?” he questioned. Furthermore, stockpiling has limitations, as fresh produce can spoil quickly, and unreliable electricity hinders the storage of meat.

Gaza's Government Media Office on Thursday refuted Israel's explanation for the suspension, denying claims that authorities in Gaza had imposed taxes or government fees on commercial trucks. The office clarified that the 10,000-shekel ($3,242) amount cited by Israel pertained to a voluntary community fund supporting vulnerable families and financial relief projects. It also stated that measures requiring a 30 percent rate for cash transactions were implemented in agreement with the Chamber of Commerce to address cash liquidity shortages and the circulation of worn-out banknotes. The office accused Israel of leveraging the dispute to impose further restrictions on supplies entering Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007. Gaza authorities asserted they were not responsible for the reduction in truck entries and urged mediators and international parties to facilitate the daily entry of 600 trucks, as per existing agreements with Israel. The office warned that continued restrictions would exacerbate the humanitarian and economic crisis in Gaza.

Food remains beyond the reach of many households in Gaza. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that in September 2026, food prices in Gaza averaged 204 percent above pre-October 2023 levels, coinciding with the start of the war and Israel's intensified restrictions on imports. OCHA's October 2 situation report, predating the new border restrictions, highlighted the broader humanitarian pressures faced by residents.

Iman Atallah, a 50-year-old displaced woman residing in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, stated that the suspension of food deliveries has evoked memories of the man-made famine that afflicted the enclave in 2025. Atallah reported that the price of a sack of flour has surged from 25 to 35 shekels ($7.50–$10.50) before the closure to approximately 80 shekels ($24). With minimal income and a family to support, she finds even basic food purchases increasingly challenging. “Before the crossings closed, flour was affordable. We could somehow manage to buy it. Now it costs 80 shekels ($24),” she said. The flour her family receives through aid distributions is insufficient for a full month. While fresh fruits and eggs are not entirely unaffordable, she noted, “We used to eat more, and we could buy eggs for the children. Now we’ve had to give those things up.” Her family now subsists on rice and lentils, with only limited bread consumption. Atallah mentioned that they sometimes forgo breakfast or dinner, making lunch their primary meal. Atallah's family is among many in Gaza unable to afford additional supplies, facing a grim outlook if the crisis persists. “We cannot stock up because we have no income,” she stated. “If the crossings remain closed for 10 or 15 days, everything will become extremely expensive. Those who have money will stock up, while those who do not will just have to watch.”