Warning of an imminent complete halt of bakery operations in Gaza

SadaNews - The head of the Bakery Association in the Gaza Strip, Abdul Nasser Al-Ajrami, warned of the impending "imminent complete halt" of bakery operations due to a severe crisis in the lack of oils, malfunctioning generators, and reduced capacity of bread and water distribution trucks, leading to an unprecedented rise in operational oil prices.

Al-Ajrami explained in press statements today, Thursday, that the ongoing ban on importing oils for generators and transportation for more than three months has caused a significant price surge, reaching nearly 2000 shekels per liter, which directly threatens the operational capacity of bakeries and places them on the brink of total paralysis.

In a related context, he noted that bakeries contracted with the "World Kitchen" organization have ceased operations for about two months, prior to the organization's announcement to reduce its operations in the sector, pointing out that some contracted bakeries were halted without sufficient explanations, under pretexts related to budget shortages or difficulties in importing goods through the crossings, which negatively impacted the most vulnerable groups, amid rising unemployment and poverty rates exceeding 85%.

Regarding bread prices, Al-Ajrami clarified that there are three different levels for the price of a bread bundle (weighing 2 kilograms), depending on the type of support provided. The fully subsidized bundle from flour and diesel through the "World Food Program" is sold at 3 shekels, covering about half of the population's needs, while the partially subsidized bundle sold only with diesel is priced at 8 shekels. The unsubsidized bundle reaches 14 shekels, which constitutes a heavy burden on citizens.

Conversely, Al-Ajrami assured that flour and basic materials such as sugar, yeast, salt, and nylon are available in the markets, with no current shortages, pointing out that existing coordination has allowed the entry of "commercial flour" and raw materials through the crossings outside the quota designated for traders.

He concluded by noting that the bakery sector in Gaza is considered one of the essential pillars of food security for approximately 2.3 million people, emphasizing that amid the deterioration of infrastructure and damage to homes, bakeries—whether supported or commercial—have become the almost sole source for providing bread and ready food for residents and the displaced in shelters.