As attention turns to the Iran war, tighter sanctions on Gaza are leading to shortages, price rises and growing suffering, turning a time of celebration for millions into one of worry.
Published on 20 March 2026
While the world’s attention is focused on the Iran war, Israel has quietly tightened its control over Gaza, further limiting the flow of goods and aid. As Eid al-Fitr begins, marked by joy and family celebrations, millions of people in Gaza are grappling with deepening deprivation and increasing hardships. What should have been a moment of celebration has turned into a moment of worry, as the worsening crisis has taken away even the simplest joys of Eid.
The economic crisis is not simply a matter of general inflation or temporary shortage of goods, but the result of a complex interplay between the Israeli occupation, local market dynamics, and broader regional and international strategies. Israel has repeatedly exploited external tensions such as those over Iran or Lebanon to justify tighter restrictions on the movement of goods through the crossing while increasing military pressure on Gaza. Due to this, residents have to directly face rising prices and shortage of essential commodities.
Even when goods are available in the markets, some traders have taken advantage of the crisis to make exorbitant profits by raising prices unreasonably. For example, tomatoes, which used to be 3 shekels ($0.97) before recent events, now cost 20 shekels ($6.48). Essential packaged goods have increased at a similar rate. The price of cooking gas now stands at 80 shekels ($25.92) for an 8 kg cylinder, meaning a family may need about 640 shekels ($207.37) per month to secure cooking gas. Electricity prices have also increased from 18 shekels ($5.83) per unit to 25 shekels ($8.10), while the cost of living has risen sharply for families who often rely on alternatives such as kerosene stoves (babar) instead of wood for cooking.
The increase in prices does not stop here. Meat has become prohibitively expensive, essential medicines are increasingly not available at reasonable prices, and even the simplest Eid traditions are now out of reach for many. This price manipulation demonstrates how some traders take advantage of the economic weakness and psychological pressure faced by residents, thereby intensifying feelings of injustice and despair among the population.
The ongoing war, repeated violations of ceasefire arrangements, and Israel’s broader strategy of using external conflicts as justification for military pressure have turned the narrative of “persistent security threats from Gaza” into a recurring pretext for closing crossings or using them as a tool of control. As such, Gaza has become increasingly entangled in broader regional tensions and military calculations.
Under these circumstances, Eid al-Fitr has become a symbol of daily hardship in Gaza. Families are forced to choose between basic needs and holiday traditions. Meat, vegetables and cooking gas have become luxuries for many, while most struggle to secure even the essentials of daily life.
Even when supplies exist, monopolization of goods and unreasonable price increases make the local market fragile and highlight the weakness of Gaza’s economic structure. Every attempt to stabilize prices or increase supply faces the harsh restrictions associated with the blockade, creating opportunities for traders to secure quick profits at the expense of ordinary citizens.
Finally, the Gaza crisis is not just an economic issue; This reflects a complex interplay of occupation, blockade, commercial exploitation, and regional and international policies that have left the region marginalised.
Eid al-Fitr, once a symbol of joy, is a reminder of a lost celebration, but also a call to action for the international community to take meaningful action: ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid, protecting civilians from exploitation, and preventing human suffering from being turned into an opportunity for profit.
