In Gaza, a simple lighter has become essential for survival amid siege
Gaza families are forced to repair and share cheap lighters because new ones cost tens of dollars and fuel shortages make cooking nearly impossible.
Since the war began, Gaza's daily routines depend on fire, and a functional lighter has become a prized commodity. Mothers such as Rabab Deifallah and Hasnaa Mansour spend a large portion of their limited cash repairing lighters rather than buying food, while displaced families like Shadi Abu Shamlah share one or two devices among many tents. New lighters now cost $27-33, prompting a makeshift market for repairs, with individuals like Tamer Al-Shawish salvaging parts to earn a livelihood.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs links the shortage to Israel's ongoing siege and restrictions on dual-use items, while the Gaza Chamber of Commerce reports that only about 191 trucks a day entered Gaza in the first five months of 2026, far below pre-war needs. These constraints have turned a once-trivial object into the backbone of life for thousands of Gazans.
Why it matters
It shows how basic goods become lifelines under siege, highlighting the humanitarian impact of the Gaza blockade.
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