World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Gaza faces rising food prices and worsening shelter risks ahead of winter
Israeli restrictions on commercial shipments into Gaza entered their fifth day, leaving families worried about shortages and further price rises.
Prices for basic foods have climbed sharply: one resident said eggs that cost 35 shekels a carton were selling for 60 to 70 shekels.
The restrictions come amid a dispute over fees involving Palestinian merchants and Hamas, while many families have little money to stock up.
Years of displacement have left many shelters damaged, and aid agencies say supplies and funding are not enough for the estimated 1.8 million to 1.9 million people needing shelter help.
Only about 30% of Gaza is accessible to most residents, and many displaced people are in crowded areas at risk of flooding.
Available shelter supplies cover just 17% of winter needs, while more than half of tents and makeshift shelters are in poor condition.
Aid groups are deploying water pumps and addressing flood risks, but restrictions on building materials and limited supplies make preparing for winter difficult.
Israeli restrictions on commercial imports have driven up prices of basic goods in Gaza, while families fear shortages.
A senior International Organization for Migration official says damaged shelters, funding gaps and limits on building materials are worsening winter risks.
The IOM estimates 1.8 million to 1.9 million people need shelter assistance, but available and incoming supplies cover only 17% of Gaza’s winter needs.
Only about 30% of Gaza is accessible to most of the population, leaving displaced people in crowded areas, many of them prone to flooding.
- Who
- Gaza residents facing higher food prices and displaced Palestinians needing shelter. The IOM is coordinating shelter assistance.
- What
- Commercial import restrictions have been followed by rising food prices, while damaged shelters and shortages of supplies are increasing winter risks.
- When
- The articles were published on October 17 and 18, 2026. Commercial restrictions had entered their fifth consecutive day in the October 18 report.
- Where
- Gaza, including markets and crowded displacement areas across the enclave.
- Why
- The food-price increases followed Israel’s halt to commercial shipments amid a dispute over fees involving Palestinian merchants and Hamas. Shelter preparations are hindered by restrictions on some materials, funding shortages and shipping disruptions.
IOM
Israeli authorities
Aspect
IOM
IOM says Gaza needs stronger transitional shelters and that restrictions prevent some durable materials from entering.
Israeli authorities
Israel’s restrictions on some shelter materials are imposed over security concerns.
Aspect
IOM
IOM says shelter assistance is insufficient for the estimated 1.8 million to 1.9 million people who need it.
Israeli authorities
Not stated
A cease-fire took effect, although Israeli attacks and restrictions on humanitarian aid and shelter supplies continued.
The IOM said available and incoming shelter supplies covered 17% of Gaza’s winter needs.
Israel said commercial goods would no longer enter Gaza.
IOM regional crisis coordinator Karl Baker described damage to shelters and obstacles to winter preparations.
Al Jazeera reported that commercial import restrictions had entered their fifth consecutive day and basic-goods prices were rising.
- Food imports
- Commercial goods halted, according to Israel’s announcement reported by Al Jazeera
- Egg prices
- A carton rose from 35 shekels to 60–70 shekels in al-Barawi’s account
- Shelter assistance need
- Estimated 1.8 million to 1.9 million people
- Winter supplies
- Available and incoming shelter supplies covered 17% of Gaza’s winter needs
- Accessible area
- About 30% of Gaza is accessible to most of the population
3 sources
What people are saying
After three years of war, we do need to improve the level of shelter which is inside, and move further away from temporary and more toward transitional type of shelter
The 30% in which they currently live is a very large displacement camp
These increases happened in just two or three days
Some people cannot even afford to feed themselves for a day. How much can they save or store when they have no money?