Looting, Black Market Chaos Deepen Crisis for Gaza’s War-Weary Residents
At a time when most news outlets have left the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, or were never there in the first place, The Media Line remains on the ground, bringing you in-depth reporting. Here is our latest story from Gaza by reporter Ahmed Abd al-Salam.
Residents of Gaza are grappling with skyrocketing prices and worsening shortages of basic goods like bread and flour. Criminal gangs, unaffiliated with Hamas, have exploited the chaos, looting aid shipments and inflating prices on the black market. For example, a single loaf of bread costs $7, and a bag of flour can reach $250. Many locals report spending hours in bread lines, and some have lost their lives in crowd crushes outside bakeries.
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The rainy season has exacerbated living conditions, while rampant theft and extortion have led Hamas to deploy armed forces to regain control, resulting in at least 20 looters killed during one incident. Interviews with Gazans reveal desperation and outrage at exploitative merchants and institutions like the Bank of Palestine, accused of failing to act.
Tobacco prices have also surged, with a single cigarette costing up to $49. Many families, already struggling to feed their children, are unable to afford even basic essentials. Residents are calling for international intervention and an immediate cease-fire.
Read the full story by Ahmed Abd al-Salam on our website and view the video report on our YouTube channel.
