GAZA, (PIC)
The bakery sector in Gaza faces the imminent risk of complete shutdown in the coming days due to the ongoing closure of the Israeli-controlled Karam Abu Salem crossing, the only route for food and fuel supplies.
Abdul Nasser Al-Ajrami, the head of the Gaza Bakeries Association, confirmed that the current crisis threatens the food security of the Strip’s residents, especially since bakeries rely on a limited stock of flour, yeast, and essential materials that are nearly exhausted.
Five bakeries closed, more face shutdown
Al-Ajrami explained in a statement to the Palestinian Information Center that five bakeries in Gaza have already ceased operations—four in Khan Yunis and one in Al-Bureij refugee camp. The closure is attributed to the depletion of cooking gas, which some bakeries rely on for their ovens, amid a lack of alternatives due to the severe restrictions imposed by Israel.
He noted that all currently operating bakeries, numbering 18, are contracted with the World Food Program and depend on diesel for their operations, which has allowed them to continue temporarily. However, despite having limited fuel supplies, the bigger issue lies in the imminent depletion of flour, yeast, and other essential materials, which are expected to last only 10 to 15 days. This makes their closure inevitable if the crossing does not open soon.
Crossing closure threatens production continuity
Al-Ajrami reiterated that the World Food Program relied on importing essential materials to bakeries through the Karam Abu Salem crossing. However, with the ongoing closure, available stockpiles are rapidly diminishing. He clarified that the bakery crisis is not solely due to fuel shortages but also the absence of basic ingredients for bread production, which will result in a complete shutdown within days.
He added that the effects of the crossing closure extend beyond the bakery crisis, as Gaza is experiencing a severe shortage of most foodstuffs and medicines, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis—especially with the arrival of Ramadan, which this year has come amidst the tragic conditions faced by hundreds of thousands of families exhausted by the 15-month war.
Voices of citizens: Bread has become a luxury!
Amidst this crisis, citizens in Gaza express their fears regarding the repercussions of bakery closures, as obtaining bread has turned into a daily challenge.
Mohammed Al-Habibi, a bakery owner in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza Strip, who was forced to close his bakery due to lack of cooking gas, said, “I tried to hold out as long as possible, but in the end, I had to close the bakery because gas was the only source we relied on. I can’t bear to see customers waiting for hours without being able to meet their needs. The situation is unbearable, and if the crossing isn’t opened soon, the remaining bakeries will close as well.”
Abu Mahmoud Al-Najjar, a father of five, said, “Bread is the only thing we can get, but even that is now at risk. If the bakeries stop, we will have nothing to eat; rice, oil, and even vegetables are no longer available.”
Meanwhile, Um Ahmad Al-Zein, a housewife, described her daily struggles, “Every day, we go out looking for a bakery that is open, and sometimes we return home without a single loaf. My children ask me why there is no bread, and I have no answer for them. We never imagined that bread would become a luxury.”
Mohammed Abu Samra, a young man working in one of the bakeries at risk of closure, said, “We are trying to keep working despite the difficulties, but things are getting worse. We no longer have enough flour, and if this continues, we will close within days. We don’t know where this will lead.”
Urgent calls to open the crossing and save the situation
In light of these dangerous developments, there are increasing calls for urgent action to open the Karam Abu Salem crossing and allow the entry of essential materials and fuel to ensure the continued operation of bakeries and meet the needs of the population.
Al-Ajrami called on international bodies and humanitarian organizations to intervene immediately to pressure Israel to lift the restrictions imposed on Gaza and allow the entry of vital supplies, warning that the continuation of the current situation will lead to a humanitarian disaster that will be difficult to remedy.
