The compounded suffering caused by Gaza’s ‘manufactured’ cash crisis

The compounded suffering caused by Gaza’s ‘manufactured’ cash crisis

Israel has imposed a strict blockade on Gaza since March leaving 2.2 million Palestinians in the strip with practically nothing. Food, medicine and water are extremely scarce with only trickles of aid entering every now and then. There’s barely anything to buy in the market.

But in the middle of all this, there’s another crisis: cash.

Banks have closed because of the war. ATMs have been destroyed. No new notes have been injected into the strip since 2023, with Israel suspending the Palestinian Monetary Authority from making any cash transfers to Gaza. The same old notes have been circulating in the strip, becoming so worn out that even vendors are rejecting them.

Instead, informal cash merchants are selling people physical banknotes in exchange for digital transfers, but with commission fees of about 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, the cost of even the most basic food staples, like flour and sugar, have skyrocketed to extortionate prices, further depleting the value of the currency.

In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher looks at the extreme difficulties of accessing money in the enclave and the compounded suffering caused by cash shortages.

Jaksot(476)

Can the Global Sumud Flotilla really break the siege of Gaza?

Can the Global Sumud Flotilla really break the siege of Gaza?

Dozens of boats carrying activists from about 44 countries have finally set sail for Gaza after much delay. The Global Sumud Flotilla is not the first humanitarian mission to attempt to break Israel’s...

19 Syys 202520min

What does Israel’s strike on Doha mean for the Gulf?

What does Israel’s strike on Doha mean for the Gulf?

In the past month, Israel has bombed Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon, but its attack on Hamas officials in Qatar this week was most unexpected. And it hit a nerve. Arab leaders immediately express...

12 Syys 202523min

What next after Israel’s strike on Hamas in Doha?

What next after Israel’s strike on Hamas in Doha?

Israel’s attack on Hamas leaders in Doha on Tuesday drew widespread condemnation from the international community. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described it as “state...

10 Syys 20259min

What will happen to the Houthis after Israel’s assassination strike?

What will happen to the Houthis after Israel’s assassination strike?

The Israeli army's killing of several Houthi government officials, including the prime minister, marks another serious escalation in the region. Until now, the army had mostly attacked infrastructure ...

5 Syys 202519min

What guarantees does Lebanon have after Hezbollah disarms?

What guarantees does Lebanon have after Hezbollah disarms?

US envoys Tom Barrack and Morgan Ortagus were in Lebanon this week to restate a key demand: Hezbollah must disarm. The latest push from Washington came with economic incentives as Mr Barrack proposed ...

29 Elo 202520min

Why Ehud Olmert wants an end to Israel’s war in Gaza

Why Ehud Olmert wants an end to Israel’s war in Gaza

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert supported the war in Gaza when it began, but soon changed his mind. He advocated a limited military operation rather than a full-scale offensive. Now, he says...

27 Elo 202516min

What's changed in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover?

What's changed in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover?

Four years after the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan remains in the shadow of that chaotic August day in 2021 when US troops finally withdrew, ending two decades of war. The images from Kabul’s...

15 Elo 202523min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-podme-livebox
viisupodi
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-asiastudio
otetaan-yhdet
rikosmyytit
the-ulkopolitist
rss-mina-ukkola
linda-maria
radio-antro
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
popcorn-with-esko
rss-polikulaari-humanisti-vastaa-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-50100-podcast