Gaza’s Gas Cylinder Crisis Aggravated by 7 Months of War, Blockade
(AWP) - Seven months of war on the Gaza Strip have brought a new type of suffering for displaced Palestinians, most of whom are crowded into the southern city of Rafah, as the gas cylinders that are delivered through humanitarian aid are becoming scarce.
Officials in charge of the crossings said that the number of cylinders entering is not enough for the 2.2 million people living in one of the world’s most populous areas.
Though some displaced families, usually with a large number of individuals, have finally managed to get gas cylinders, they say the situation is getting harder due to the low supply. Some find no other way to cook but to burn wood, despite its harmful effects on health.
Ramy al-Masry, a Palestinian doctor who is displaced with his family, said that the crisis was worsening as the population of Rafah continued to increase.
“We have a real gas crisis. Rafah already suffers from the high number of displaced people. The amount of gas delivered is barely enough,” he said.
“We are trying to replace gas with something even harder to find, which is firewood. It is not available in the first place. It costs a lot to purchase firewood, not to mention its harmful impact on health. We have families and children who are suffering from this,” he added.
Another displaced Palestinian complained of the price hike for gas cylinders on the black market.
Firewood costs 20-30 shekels, but gas can reach up to 40 shekels daily on the black market,” said Mohamed Abu Amsheh in statements to the Arab World Press (AWP).
“This is completely unfair! Most of the people do not have money. Life is so hard without gas or firewood,” he noted.