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Mar 24, 2026

Gaza Faces Crippling Fuel and Gas Shortages Amid Ongoing Israeli Restrictions

AI Summary
Palestinians in Gaza are struggling with severe fuel and gas shortages, exacerbated by Israel's restrictions. The cost of electricity from private generators has surged, and many households can no longer afford it.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a devastating impact on the daily lives of Palestinians, with severe fuel and gas shortages crippling the enclave. The destruction of Gaza's public power network during Israel's war has forced residents to rely on private generators, which have become increasingly expensive.

The cost of electricity has risen sharply, with the price per kilowatt-hour increasing from about 2.5 shekels ($0.80) to between 20 and 30 shekels ($7 and $10) – nearly 10 times higher. This surge in prices has placed electricity beyond the reach of many households, forcing them to seek alternative, often inadequate, solutions.

Abdullah Jamal, a baker, is one of the many Palestinians struggling to cope with the crisis. He has resorted to using wood to bake bread for displaced families living nearby, highlighting the desperate measures people are taking to survive.

The gas crisis has been ongoing for over two years, with limited quantities of gas being allowed into the enclave. Each family receives only 8kg (17lbs) of gas every two to three months, leading to rationing and fears of supply cut-offs.

Fuel prices remain volatile, with diesel prices roughly triple their pre-war levels. The shortage of fuel and gas has disrupted the economic and service sectors, with some facilities forced to operate by buying gas originally allocated to stations or households.

According to Gaza government data, Israeli authorities have only allowed 1,190 fuel trucks into the enclave out of the 8,050 expected since the ceasefire began, a compliance rate of just 14.7 percent. The territory requires between 350 and 400 cooking gas trucks per month, as well as 15 million litres (4 million gallons) of diesel and 2.5 million litres (660,000 gallons) of gasoline.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with over 75,000 Palestinians killed and more than 2 million people facing overlapping crises affecting all aspects of life. The situation remains dire, with hopes of improvement dependent on Israeli procedures controlling the crossings into Gaza.