DaysofPal – The shortage of cooking gas in the Gaza Strip has intensified after an entire week passed without any new deliveries entering local markets, worsening an already difficult situation for residents who rely on the fuel for daily cooking and many small businesses.
The crisis escalated following the closure of crossings leading to Gaza by Israeli occupation forces for three days after the start of the Israeli-U.S. military campaign against Iran. Crossings later reopened to allow a limited number of aid and commercial trucks into the territory, though none carried cooking gas.
During the past four days, 16 trucks entered Gaza on the first day, followed by 277 on the second, 165 on the third, and only 33 on the fourth. None of these shipments included cooking gas.
Officials estimate that Gaza requires at least 8,000 tons of cooking gas each month, equal to roughly 260 tons per day. Even before the latest closure, the quantities entering the enclave rarely exceeded 20 percent of the monthly demand in the best circumstances.
Data from the Palestinian General Petroleum Authority indicate that from the start of the ceasefire in October until mid-February, only 361 trucks carrying cooking gas reached Gaza. These shipments totaled about 7,000 tons, an amount sufficient to cover less than one month of the territory’s needs.
The figures highlight a wide gap between demand and available supplies. Distribution has remained irregular for months, leaving many households unable to obtain their allocated shares due to limited deliveries and high demand.
Following the halt in supply during recent days, the General Petroleum Authority announced a temporary suspension of gas distribution lists used to determine household quotas.
The shortage has also driven prices sharply higher in informal markets. The price of one kilogram of cooking gas rose from roughly 40 Israeli shekels to nearly 75 shekels, pushing up the cost of goods and services.
Businesses that depend heavily on cooking gas have begun to feel the impact. Restaurants, sweet shops, and bakeries report that their reserves are running low. Several owners say they may have to shorten operating hours or shut down certain activities if the shortage continues.
The Government Media Office in Gaza said that around 87,600 aid trucks were expected to enter the Gaza Strip following the ceasefire announced in October, based on an average of 600 trucks per day. In practice, fewer than 22,000 trucks have entered, averaging about 150 trucks daily.
Officials noted that the actual level of compliance with the agreed aid flow does not exceed 25 percent of the pledged amount. They stated that this is a clear breach of commitments and reflects ongoing Israeli restrictions on humanitarian supplies intended for more than two million Palestinians living in Gaza.
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