Ghadeer Nassar and her seven children call a classroom in Remal Model School home, a temporary shelter amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Her husband searches for any source of income, but his earnings fluctuate greatly, sometimes as low as seven shekels per day, roughly $2.27. To feed her family, Nassar has sold valuables like her wedding ring and her husband’s phone. With little money, she also trades essentials—like exchanging one kilogram of rice for four kilograms of lentils. Her focus is strictly on meeting their most urgent needs, and she buys only what the family can truly afford.
Nassar’s family reflects the harsh realities of life in Gaza since the war began in October 2023. The conflict has uprooted millions and destroyed livelihoods, leaving many like her in a constant fight to survive. Nassar recounted how she carefully manages what little food they have, ensuring it lasts as long as possible. “I don’t buy what I want, I buy what I can afford,” she said, highlighting the drastic shift in priorities for families struggling to meet basic needs.
Shoppers adapt to new realities
Maher al-Khudari, a shop owner in Gaza City, has noticed a significant change in the way people shop. Where once customers might have bought full kilograms of vegetables, they now settle for just a few pieces. Non-essential items, such as sweets, are no longer part of most household budgets. “People are buying far less than they used to,” al-Khudari explained. The shift is not just about quantity but about necessity. With little money to spend, consumers are forced to make tough choices, prioritizing only the most essential products.
Al-Khudari also faces his own set of challenges. Customers frequently ask for credit, but he is struggling to balance compassion with his own financial survival. “I can’t give everyone what they need,” he said. “All of Gaza is in need, and if I give credit to every person who asks, I will lose everything.” He carefully selects who he extends credit to, trying to avoid a financial collapse that would leave him unable to keep his business running.
A deepening economic crisis
The World Food Programme has noted that more commercial and humanitarian goods are now entering Gaza than in the previous two months. However, this has not translated into relief for most households, as many struggle to afford even the most basic items. The United Nations reports that food insecurity remains alarmingly high, with a sharp increase in the number of families unable to buy essentials because of high prices and limited income. The situation reflects the broader economic collapse in the region.
According to the latest data from the UN, the food consumer price index in Gaza is 102 percent higher than it was before the war. This surge in prices is due to a combination of factors, including shortages of goods, the costs of importing supplies, and the ongoing blockade. Palestinian economic expert Mohammed Abu Jiab explained that the presence of goods in markets does not indicate a true recovery of the economy. “Purchasing power has sharply declined,” he said, adding that many families are now entirely dependent on aid or sporadic, unreliable sources of income to survive.
Abu Jiab pointed out that without stable and long-term economic conditions, the situation for Gaza’s displaced population will not improve. The majority of people in the territory are now reliant on food aid, and with reconstruction efforts stalled and Israel showing no signs of allowing long-term stability, the crisis is likely to persist. The economy continues to spiral downward, and without real change in the region, families like Ghadeer Nassar’s will remain trapped in a cycle of survival with little hope for a better future.
The return of goods to Gaza markets brings a glimmer of normalcy, but it is a hollow one. For many like Nassar, the challenge is no longer just finding food—it is being able to afford it. The war has not only destroyed homes and infrastructure but has also crippled an already fragile economy. The people of Gaza remain in a state of deep crisis, with no clear path to recovery on the horizon.