Brief
Gaza families brace for food shortages as Israel stops commercial shipments
Prices of flour, eggs and onions have surged since Israel halted commercial imports, leaving Gaza residents worried about food availability.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Gaza City, Gaza — Israeli authorities announced on Wednesday that commercial goods would no longer be allowed into Gaza, prompting a sharp rise in the price of basic food items, Al Jazeera reported.
What happened
On 18 October 2026, Israel’s restriction entered its fifth consecutive day, closing the crossings that normally handle commercial shipments. Within two to three days, the cost of a carton of eggs jumped from 35 shekels to between 60 and 70 shekels, while a kilogram of onions rose from five‑six shekels to eight‑ten shekels. Avocado prices also roughly doubled, moving from seven‑eight shekels per kilogram to about 15 shekels.
What the reports add
Al Jazeera noted that the price spikes are occurring against a backdrop of a dispute over a fee that Palestinian merchants say Hamas imposed on each truck entering Gaza. The outlet linked the halt to a broader “genocidal war” that began in October 2023, which has already pushed hundreds of thousands of Gazans into poverty. It also highlighted that market activity has increased slightly as residents try to buy what they can before supplies run out.
What was said
Ismail al‑Barawi, a 52‑year‑old resident of Jabalia in northern Gaza, told Al Jazeera, “These increases happened in just two or three days,” expressing concern about further price hikes if the crossings stay closed for another 10‑15 days.
How it came about
The current halt follows earlier Israeli measures that suspended commercial shipments in mid‑October, citing a disputed 10,000‑shekel fee imposed by Hamas, a development covered by Felo News on 15 October 2026 (Israel halts commercial shipments to Gaza, citing disputed tax fee). The ongoing siege, which began after the October 2023 war, has already strained Gaza’s economy, reducing incomes and limiting access to essential goods.
Key facts
- Israel stopped commercial shipments into Gaza on Wednesday, 18 October 2026. (aljazeera.com)
- Egg prices rose from 35 shekels to 60‑70 shekels per carton within two to three days. (aljazeera.com)
- Onion prices increased from 5‑6 shekels to 8‑10 shekels per kilogram. (aljazeera.com)
- A Gaza resident, Ismail al‑Barawi, said the price hikes occurred in just two or three days. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Gaza families fear food shortages as Israel halts commercial shipments”
