GAZA CITY — A silent but steady flow of Palestinians is leaving the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict and deepening humanitarian crisis. According to regional reports, dozens of Gaza residents holding dual citizenship are flying out of the enclave each week. Since the outbreak of war in October, at least 40,000 people have left Gaza, a number that officials expect will continue to rise.
Skyrocketing Prices, Deepening Desperation
The exodus comes as prices for basic goods have soared to unprecedented levels. The Israeli military reports that the price of a single sack of flour in Gaza has hit $1,000—a sharp indicator of the region’s economic collapse.
Meanwhile, Hamas is accused of a two-faced strategy: publicly trying to curb price hikes while profiting off the black market in areas under its control.
Stalled Negotiations, Mounting Pressure
Diplomatic sources suggest Israel continues to receive backing from the United States in its policies toward Gaza, especially amid deadlocked negotiations over the release of Israeli hostages.
Israeli defense officials now believe Hamas may attempt to exploit the humanitarian crisis—crafting a global narrative of famine and desperation to pressure Western and Arab nations into action.
“Hamas is looking to turn hunger into a political weapon,” said a senior Israeli source. “Their aim is to shift international pressure onto Israel.”
Outlook: A Deeper Crisis Within Weeks
According to Southern Command estimates, conditions in Gaza could worsen dramatically within the next two weeks. The population, heavily reliant on humanitarian aid, is expected to face acute shortages of food, medicine, and medical supplies.
Defense officials believe Hamas may seek to leverage the crisis to push for increased aid shipments—or use it as a bargaining chip in broader negotiations.
