ISRAELI OCCUPIED GAZA, 03 Nov. - (ANA) - The number of commercial trucks entering the Gaza Strip fell by 53.5% in October compared to September, marking a sharp decline that reduced the flow of goods into local markets.

 

This coincided with a drop in food supplies and consumer goods, continued shortages, and rising prices following the closure of the crossing to commercial traffic for more than a week.

 

Statistics released by the Crossings and Borders Authority showed that 1,758 commercial trucks entered the Gaza Strip in October, compared with 3,781 in September—a decrease of 2,023 trucks. The total number of incoming trucks, including commercial shipments, aid and fuel, also fell from 5,265 to 3,836, a decline of 27.1%, or 1,429 trucks.

 

By contrast, the number of aid trucks increased from 1,244 in September to 1,815 in October, a rise of 45.9%. Fuel trucks also increased from 240 to 263, representing a 9.6% increase. However, these increases did not offset the sharp decline in commercial traffic, which is a key source of goods and product variety in local markets.

 

 

 

 

By category of goods, the number of trucks carrying food supplies and groceries fell from 3,450 in September to 2,337 in October, a decrease of 1,113 trucks, or 32.3%.

 

The number of trucks carrying consumer goods and household items also declined from 1,273 to 799, a drop of 37.2%. Meanwhile, trucks carrying medical and healthcare equipment and supplies fell from 104 to 76, a decrease of 26.9%.

 

Trucks carrying shelter and relief supplies increased from 139 to 330.

 

Trucks carrying animal feed and seeds fell from 45 to 27, a decline of 40%. Those carrying corrugated zinc sheets decreased from five to four, while October's statistics recorded no trucks specifically designated for transporting water, compared with nine in September.

 

These figures reflect a widening gap in the flow of commercial goods into the Gaza Strip, despite the increase in aid trucks. The impact of this decline is not limited to the volume of incoming goods; it also affects the variety of products available and traders' ability to meet consumer needs.

 

 

 

 

These developments come as local markets continue to experience shortages of a number of essential and consumer goods, alongside rising prices and declining purchasing power among residents as a result of the war, damage to economic activity, and the loss of income sources.

 

Reduced commercial imports mean smaller quantities of goods are available to consumers and limit traders' ability to replenish depleted stocks. This adds to pressure on markets, particularly given the heavy reliance on imported goods and the decline in local production.

 

The effects of the closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing—the only crossing connecting Gaza to the outside world for commercial traffic—continue to weigh on the market. Shortages of supplies are continuing to affect the availability and prices of goods, as residents face increasingly difficult living conditions.

 

The comparison between September and October highlights the scale of the decline in commercial activity: commercial trucks fell by more than half, while the total number of incoming trucks decreased by more than a quarter. This underscores the challenges facing local markets and the need to resume a regular flow of commercial goods to address shortages and ease price pressures and the growing cost-of-living burden.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/03 November 2026 - - -