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(477)

Will Europe’s shift on Israel’s war in Gaza change anything?

Will Europe’s shift on Israel’s war in Gaza change anything?

Too little, too late. This was the sentiment echoed among critics in the international community after Europe started taking a new, critical stance on Israel’s war in Gaza in recent weeks. For Palesti...

6 Kesä 202520min

Can Israel be trusted to distribute aid in Gaza?

Can Israel be trusted to distribute aid in Gaza?

Chaotic scenes unfolded in Gaza this week as large crowds gathered at aid hubs set up by a US and Israeli-backed organisation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. After three months of an Israeli-impose...

30 Touko 202524min

Sanctions are easing but can Syria hold together?

Sanctions are easing but can Syria hold together?

Last week’s announcement by President Donald Trump on lifting US sanctions on Syria seemed to have a refreshing effect for a country that has been reeling from political divisions and economic turmoil...

23 Touko 202526min

Will Middle East tension ease as a result of Donald Trump’s visit to the Gulf?

Will Middle East tension ease as a result of Donald Trump’s visit to the Gulf?

US President Donald Trump has returned to Washington after sealing hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of investments on his first visit to the Gulf since returning to office. His stops in Riyadh, ...

16 Touko 202521min

What’s at risk under Israel’s planned Gaza offensive?

What’s at risk under Israel’s planned Gaza offensive?

Israel’s security cabinet has approved an expanded military offensive in Gaza that would push the entire population into a small pocket in the south of the strip. Shortly after the decision, Israeli P...

9 Touko 202522min

Trump’s first 100 days: What ‘America first’ means for the Middle East

Trump’s first 100 days: What ‘America first’ means for the Middle East

During the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s administration, he has signed more executive orders than any other president in the same time span. They are part of his mandate to put "America first". But...

2 Touko 202522min

Why Christians in occupied Palestine may be at risk of disappearing

Why Christians in occupied Palestine may be at risk of disappearing

In his last public address on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis called for an end to the violence in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation there "dramatic and deplorable”. His message came only a day bef...

25 Huhti 202521min

Why legal action against alleged Israeli war crimes is so slow

Why legal action against alleged Israeli war crimes is so slow

When the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last year accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant of crimes against humanity, it seemed...

18 Huhti 202529min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
tervo-halme
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
politiikan-puskaradio
viisupodi
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-podme-livebox
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
otetaan-yhdet
radio-antro
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
rss-asiastudio
the-ulkopolitist
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
io-techin-tekniikkapodcast
linda-maria
rss-kiina-ilmiot
rss-mina-ukkola
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel