DaysofPal – After two years of relentless war, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are observing Ramadan under severe economic strain. Israel continues to restrict the entry of food and essential supplies despite a ceasefire reached in October, leaving families struggling to secure even basic necessities.
For many households, the search for a single loaf of bread has replaced the festive traditions that once marked the holy month. An analysis based on official data shows that soaring prices have pushed a complete iftar meal beyond the reach of most families.
Skyrocketing Food Costs
During periods when crossings were tightly restricted or fully closed, food prices surged by more than 700 percent. Although costs have eased slightly since the ceasefire began, they remain far above pre-war levels.
Mohammed Barbakh, director general of policy and planning at Gaza’s Ministry of Economy, said price monitoring from October 7, 2023, to the first days of this Ramadan reveals sharp increases across staple goods.
Chicken has climbed from 14 shekels ($4.49) to 25 shekels ($8.01) per kilogram, an 80 percent rise. Frozen fish has jumped from 8 shekels ($2.56) to 23 shekels ($7.37), marking a 190 percent increase. Frozen red meat now costs 40 shekels ($12.82) per kilogram, up from 23 shekels ($7.37).
Eggs have seen one of the steepest increases. A tray of 30 eggs now costs 35 shekels ($11.22), compared with 13 shekels ($4.17) before the war. Vegetable prices have also spiked. Tomatoes have doubled in price, while cucumbers have tripled, rising from 3 shekels ($0.96) to 12 shekels ($3.85) per kilogram. Cheese prices have increased by up to 110 percent, raising the cost of suhoor, the predawn meal before fasting begins.
The Rising Cost of Iftar and Suhoor
Data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics shows that a basic iftar for a family of six, including two chickens, rice, salad, appetizers, a soft drink, cooking gas, and oil, now costs about 150 shekels ($48). Before the war, the same meal cost 79 shekels ($25.32), reflecting a 90 percent increase.
A modest suhoor of cheese, hummus, falafel, and bread now totals 31.5 shekels ($10.10), up from 18.6 shekels ($5.96). The combined daily cost of feeding a medium-sized family stands at 181.5 shekels ($58.17), nearly double pre-war levels.
The surge in prices has coincided with a dramatic fall in purchasing power. A United Nations report released in late 2025 found that annual per capita income in Gaza dropped to $161 (503 shekels) in 2024, down from $1,250 (3,900 shekels) in 2022.
The labor market has effectively collapsed. In an October statement, Sami al-Amsi, head of the General Federation of Palestinian Trade Unions, said unemployment had exceeded 95 percent after the destruction of workshops, farmland, and fishing fleets.
“The worker is no longer looking for a job because there is no work at all,” al-Amsi said. “Today, the Palestinian worker is looking for a food parcel to survive.”
Restricted Entry and Market Monopoly
Economic researcher Ahmed Abu Qamar linked the inflation crisis to Israel’s restrictive entry policies and coordination fees imposed on incoming trucks.
He noted that humanitarian arrangements provide for 600 trucks to enter Gaza daily, yet only between 200 and 250 trucks are typically allowed through. Gaza requires at least 1,000 trucks per day to meet basic needs.
Abu Qamar also pointed to a monopoly structure that limits imports to roughly 10 merchants operating through four Israeli companies. This system restricts competition and keeps prices elevated. He called for a return to open market conditions and the full reopening of crossings to ease pressure on a population already devastated by war.
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