Mahmoud Al-Saqa, a grocery store owner in the Shujaiya neighbourhood, told Middle East news that “since the statement, we’ve seen a sudden spike in prices. People now buy only what is absolutely necessary, fearing the situation will persist.”
The markets in the war-torn Gaza Strip recently witnessed a significant surge in prices, reflecting the growing fears and uncertainty gripping Palestinian residents in the coastal enclave amid escalating threats by Israel to resume its genocidal war.
Soaring prices compound burdens faced by Gaza’s Palestinians
Local merchants have increased the prices of essential commodities and food items following a statement by Abu Obeida, the military spokesman for Hamas’s military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, in which he announced the postponement of handing over a batch of Israeli detainees due to Israel’s ongoing violations.
The development sparked a wave of anxiety among citizens, many of whom now endure sleepless nights and uncertain tomorrows while grappling with dire economic conditions caused by the prolonged Israeli blockade and relentless aggression on the Strip.
Prices of vegetables increased by up to 30 per cent, while the cost of some imported goods soared up by more than 40 per cent.
Traders attributed this increase to the fragile economic situation, persistent political tension, disrupted supply chains, and inflated transportation costs due to the blockade.
Mahmoud Al-Saqa, a grocery store owner in the Shujaiya neighbourhood, told us that “since the statement, we’ve seen a sudden spike in prices. People now buy only what is absolutely necessary, fearing the situation will persist.”
Amid the crisis, frustration is mounting among Palestinians, who describe their daily lives as a battle for survival. The sounds of despair echo through crowded markets and empty shelves, with many accusing merchants of exploiting the circumstances to hoard goods and create artificial scarcity.
“Israel is not the only one fighting us,” said Rizq Al-Kulak, a Gaza-based Palestinian man, remarked to TNA. “The greed of some merchants is also strangling us and starving our children. The situation has become unbearable”.
“We are struggling to survive, and if this continues, many might consider leaving not because we hate our homeland, but because the monopolists are crushing the last bit of hope within us,” he added.
In a press statement, Abu Obeida explained that pausing the handover of Israeli captives was a response to the Israeli occupation continued delays and violations in fulfilling truce agreements and its ongoing crimes against civilians in Gaza.
Abu Obeida reaffirmed that the Palestinian armed resistance remains steadfast in its commitment to the Palestinian people, refusing to offer concessions without guarantees.
However, on the streets of Gaza, fear and confusion prevail. Ibrahim Khalil, a father of three, described his family’s daily struggle, saying, “Since the war began, we have barely been able to secure necessities. We felt momentary relief when the truce was announced, but then merchants began manipulating prices again, indifferent to our suffering.”
“We can no longer afford even basic food items. Prices double every few days, and humanitarian aid isn’t enough to sustain us. We live in constant fear of what tomorrow might bring,” Umm Mohammed al-Aqad, a mother of five from Gaza, remarked to TNA.
Human rights and economic organisations have called for urgent action, urging authorities to implement stricter market oversight, impose penalties for monopolistic practices, and enhance cooperation with international aid groups.
“Without intervention, the crisis could spiral out of control, exacerbating the population’s suffering,” according to Sami al-Abed, a Palestinian economist based in Gaza.
“Immediate measures must be taken to regulate the markets and monitor prices. We need stronger collaboration with international organisations to ensure the steady flow of essential goods,” he said to TNA.
As political tensions persist, Palestinian families in Gaza remain in a state of restless anticipation, clinging to the hope that the coming days might bring relief from the relentless economic hardship overshadowing their lives.