Lighter shortage in Gaza turns small object into lifeline

Since the start of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, the blockade and destruction have led to severe shortages of basic goods, including cooking gas and fuel. As a result, families have turned to firewood for cooking, heating water, and baking bread. However, starting a fire requires a lighter, and these have become scarce and prohibitively expensive. Before the war, lighters were cheap and plentiful, but now a new one can cost between $27 and $33, forcing many to repair old ones or share among neighbors. For example, Rabab, a 46-year-old mother, spent $12 to repair her old lighter and guards it carefully, as it is essential for her family's survival. In displacement camps like Al-Karmel School, lighters are shared among many tents, with residents reporting only a few lighters for the entire school. The shortage has also created a new profession: lighter repair. Tamer, a repairman, notes that before the war, no one needed to repair lighters, but now people come to him because it is cheaper than buying new ones. He salvages parts from damaged lighters to fix others, extending their lifespan. The scarcity of lighters is a direct consequence of the Israeli siege, which restricts the entry of goods and has devastated the local economy. This situation highlights the extreme hardship faced by Gaza's population, where even the smallest items have become vital for daily survival.