Gaza families fear food shortages as Israel halts commercial shipments

What the report says

Gaza residents are reporting faster-rising prices and growing concern about food shortages after Israel halted commercial shipments into the enclave, according to Al Jazeera. The report says the restrictions have been in place for five consecutive days as of Oct. 18, 2026, and are hitting markets already strained by war, blockade conditions and limited incomes.

Al Jazeera said the sharpest increases have been seen in basic staples such as flour, eggs, onions and fruit. Residents interviewed in Gaza City and northern Gaza described buying smaller quantities, skipping nonessential items and worrying that prices could climb further if crossings stay closed. Families with cash are trying to stock up, while many others cannot afford extra supplies at all.

The article also outlines a dispute behind the suspension. Gaza’s Government Media Office rejected Israel’s explanation that local authorities had imposed taxes or fees on commercial trucks, saying the cited charges were linked to support funds and cash-handling measures agreed with merchants. It urged mediators and international actors to help restore the flow of goods.

Al Jazeera added wider context from the United Nations humanitarian office, which has reported that food prices in Gaza were already far above pre-war levels before the new restrictions. The report suggests the latest closure could deepen hardship for households that depend on markets, aid and irregular income to feed their families.