In Gaza, even when goods make it past Israel’s blockade, most families still cannot afford them. Prices have swung wildly since Israel allowed a trickle of aid trucks into the enclave late last month, with residents facing empty shelves, chaotic markets, and food they cannot buy. Officials say the territory receives barely 14% of what it needs, while more than 6,000 aid trucks remain blocked at the borders. With only a fraction of essential goods entering, the famine gripping over two million people shows no sign of easing.

Local authorities warn that Israel’s tight control over the pace and quantity of supplies is fuelling economic collapse and deepening humanitarian suffering. Looting of limited shipments, hoarding by traders, and unregulated price hikes have left Gaza’s poorest without access to even the most basic items. Plans to impose price caps and prevent stockpiling remain ineffective without a steady flow of goods to stabilise the markets.

Since October 2023, Gaza has endured a relentless military campaign alongside an economic stranglehold described by Palestinian officials as a deliberate policy of starvation. More than 61,000 people have been killed, tens of thousands injured, and thousands remain buried under rubble. For those still alive, survival now depends not only on avoiding bombs but also on finding , and affording, the food and medicine they desperately need.