Why are Palestinians asking for money?" — Let’s talk facts. 🇵🇸
I’ve seen this question popping up, and it’s time to address it with pragmatism and ground-level reality. When you see families from Gaza sharing crowdfunding links, it’s not a "choice"—it’s a desperate response to a total economic collapse.
Here is the practical reality of why financial aid is a matter of life and death right now:
1. Total Economic Paralysis
Since October 2023, the economy in Gaza hasn't just slowed down; it has ceased to exist.
Unemployment: Private sector unemployment is effectively at 100%.
Destruction: Factories, farms, and small businesses have been leveled. There is no "going to work" when your workplace is rubble and the streets are a conflict zone.
2. War-Zone Hyperinflation
When supply chains are cut off, the price of surviving skyrockets.
The Cost of Living: Goods that used to cost a few dollars (like flour, clean water, or basic hygiene products) now cost 10x to 20x their original price on the black market due to extreme scarcity.
Cash Scarcity: Most banks and ATMs have been destroyed. Accessing what’s left of your own savings often requires paying predatory fees to middlemen just to get physical cash.
3. The "Exit" Tolls
For many, the goal isn't just to buy food—it’s to get their children to safety.
Coordination Fees: To cross the border (when possible), "coordination fees" charged by private agencies can range from $5,000 to $10,000 per person. For a family of five, that is a fortune no average person has sitting in their pocket, especially after losing their home.
4. Infrastructure is Gone
There is no public water, no power grid, and no municipal services.
