DaysofPal – Prices of basic goods have surged across the Gaza Strip in recent days, driven by a sharp decline in the volume of goods entering the enclave through Israeli-controlled crossings. The reduced supply has led to shortages of several food items and placed heavy pressure on the limited products still available in local markets.
Vendors report steep increases in the prices of vegetables, fruits, and frozen foods. The price of tomatoes has more than doubled, rising from about 10 shekels per kilogram to roughly 22 shekels. Potatoes have climbed from around 10 shekels to 18 shekels per kilogram. Onions have nearly disappeared from markets due to extremely limited availability.
Frozen products have also been affected. The price of chicken has jumped from about 23 shekels per kilogram to nearly 40 shekels. Chicken breast has largely vanished from market shelves because the small quantities entering Gaza are often directed to restaurants rather than retail stalls.
Mohammed Barbakh, director general of policies and planning at the Gaza Ministry of National Economy, said the volume of goods currently entering the territory falls far below the minimum needed to meet market demand.
According to Barbakh, between 35 and 40 commercial trucks have been allowed to enter Gaza each day since goods began moving again following the regional escalation involving Israel and Iran. Many of these shipments contain items such as nuts, soft drinks, and other non-essential goods.
The figure stands in sharp contrast to pre-war levels, when about 170 commercial trucks entered the enclave daily. Barbakh described the current quantities as extremely limited compared with the large demand in Gaza’s markets.
The shortages are particularly severe in frozen foods, fruits, and vegetables. Only about five trucks carrying vegetables enter the territory each day, compared with roughly 35 trucks before the war.
To limit price manipulation and ensure fair distribution, the Economy Ministry has attempted to regulate the sale of essential goods through designated sales points. The system aims to make products available to residents at standard prices. Authorities say some traders have tried to bypass the system by diverting shipments away from approved distribution points in order to sell them at higher prices.
Officials have begun tracking the movement of trucks entering the territory to detect attempts to smuggle goods into private markets. Some merchants reportedly manipulate quantities or store goods in remote areas to sell them later at inflated prices. Limited field oversight under current conditions has made it difficult to enforce regulations and control market activity.
The supply crisis followed Israel’s closure of Gaza’s crossings for four days at the start of the regional confrontation involving Iran at the end of February. The crossings later reopened gradually, though the quantities permitted into Gaza remain far lower than before.
Even prior to the latest restrictions, the volume of goods entering the territory did not fully meet the needs of Gaza’s population. Estimates suggest that previous supply levels were insufficient for even a quarter of the enclave’s residents.
In an effort to ease the pressure, the Economy Ministry has established special sales points offering essential goods at recently approved prices. Limited supplies have led to long queues of residents attempting to secure basic food items.
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