Archive · 23 Jul 2026
Lighters Become Essential in Gaza's Tent Camps
In Gaza, where the war has been going on for nearly three years, people living in tent camps face many challenges.
One big problem is that there is not enough gas to cook with, so they have to use fires made from cardboard, plastic, and wood.
Lighters are very important for starting these fires, but they are now very expensive and hard to find.
People share lighters and even repair broken ones to make them last longer.
Without a lighter, people like Iftikhar al-Kafarna, who bakes bread to earn money, cannot work.
The war has made life very difficult in Gaza, with high unemployment and poverty.
Both Hamas and Israel blame each other for the problems, but the people in Gaza are the ones suffering the most.
Lighters have become essential for lighting cooking fires in Gaza's tent camps due to a scarcity of gas.
The cost of a single lighter has skyrocketed from 1 shekel ($0.33) for three lighters to 100 shekels ($32.55).
People share and repair lighters to make them last longer, as they are crucial for daily survival.
The war has devastated Gaza's economy, with unemployment exceeding 80% and poverty approaching 100%.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire in October halted major fighting but did not end all attacks, and aid levels remain disputed.
- Who
- Displaced families in Gaza, including Nisreen Abu Saada and Iftikhar al-Kafarna.
- What
- Lighters have become essential for lighting cooking fires due to scarcity of gas and other resources.
- When
- Nearly three years into the Gaza war.
- Where
- In the sprawling tent camps of southern Gaza, particularly in Khan Younis.
- Why
- Due to the devastation of Gaza's economy and the scarcity of basic goods, making lighters a critical tool for survival and livelihood.
Hamas
Israel
Cause of Economic Devastation
Hamas
Hamas blames Israeli attacks and border restrictions for the lack of progress in ending the conflict and the economic devastation in Gaza.
Israel
Israel claims it targets Hamas and other Gaza militants posing an imminent threat, and disputes the adequacy of aid supplies entering Gaza.
- Cost of Lighters
- 100 shekels ($32.55) for a single lighter, up from 1 shekel ($0.33) for three lighters before the war.
- Unemployment Rate
- Exceeds 80% in Gaza.
- Poverty Rate
- Approaches 100% in Gaza.
- Ceasefire
- A U.S.-brokered ceasefire in October halted major fighting but did not end all attacks.
- Aid Dispute
- Hamas-run Gaza government media office says aid supplies fall short of needs, while COGAT claims food deliveries exceed World Food Programme requirements.