Israel’s suspension of deliveries to the Gaza Strip has caused a surge in prices and sparked concerns over potential food shortages. In response, Hamas authorities have taken action against merchants, according to local sources and witnesses.
Hamas-run police forces were seen across Gaza’s markets, ensuring merchants complied with price controls during the ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Police detained and questioned some vendors, ordering them to keep prices stable. They also confiscated supplies and later resold them at lower prices. Witnesses say the authorities are pushing residents to report market misconduct, as food supplies in Gaza are expected to last only two more weeks.
One anonymous witness criticized Hamas for focusing on smaller vendors, stating, “Punishing junior sellers is fine, but the big merchants who control the food supply need to be held accountable.”
This escalation comes after Israel halted the entry of goods into Gaza on Sunday, citing disagreements with Hamas over the next phase of a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. Hamas is urging international mediators to push Israel to resume talks and reopen Gaza’s crossings.
While Israel’s foreign minister claimed that Hamas was using aid to further its military activities, humanitarian agencies have warned that Gaza is running low on vital supplies like food, medicine, and shelter materials, and some aid is at risk of spoiling.
Ramadan Meal Disruptions
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N. Palestinian Relief Agency (UNRWA), expressed concern over the suspension of aid, saying it endangers the lives of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. He emphasized that aid should never be used as a weapon of war.
At a soup kitchen in Khan Younis, organizers reported difficulties in providing meals to Gaza’s population. The kitchen, which feeds 20,000 people, had planned for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, but rising meat prices forced them to alter the menu.
“We had to shift our Ramadan plans due to the closure of the crossings,” said Abu Omar, an organizer at the soup kitchen. “On the first day, we served rice and meat, but now we’re offering mujadara (rice and lentils) and soups because of the scarcity of goods.”
The conflict began in October 2023 with Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of over 250 hostages. Since then, more than 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict.
Arab states gathered in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss long-term solutions for Gaza, seeking alternatives to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for a “Middle East Riviera” in the region.