Supply chain disruptions from Iran conflict strain Gaza’s fragile recovery

Six months after a ceasefire agreement was signed on October 10, 2025, conditions in the Gaza Strip remain fragile, fluctuating between periods of relative calm and renewed escalation. Like many regions, Gaza is also bearing the wider consequences of the conflict triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation.

The agreement between Israel and Hamas was brokered with international mediation following a devastating war that erupted after the killing of more than 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, 2023. The two-year conflict left over 72,000 Palestinians dead and tens of thousands injured, according to verified figures provided by the respected "The Lancet Global Health" journal, partially using data provided by the Hamas-run local health authorities, alongside multiple dozens of Israeli civilian and hostage deaths.

At its core, the agreement mandated an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, including a halt to all ground and air operations, as well as a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas within the Strip to reduce civilian exposure.

It also outlined expanded humanitarian measures, including the regular opening of crossings such as Rafah, improved freedom of movement, and increased entry of aid. This included hundreds of daily trucks carrying food, medicine and fuel, alongside assurances that assistance would reach all parts of Gaza without obstruction.

The ceasefire had been expected to mark a turning point toward recovery for Gaza’s population. While there has been some improvement in the flow of food aid, an Al Jazeera report notes that progress has been limited, fragile and insufficient to meet mounting humanitarian needs. The UN has repeatedly called for unrestricted access, warning that bottlenecks in crossings and distribution systems continue to hinder aid delivery to the most vulnerable.

Regional tensions have further strained the situation. The US-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28 and lasted 40 days before a temporary ceasefire on April 8, has compounded existing challenges.

According to the Doha-based outlet, the escalation disrupted border crossings and global supply chains through temporary closures and reduced cargo flows. Officials say this has directly affected key aspects of the Gaza ceasefire, particularly the movement of goods and humanitarian aid.

As a result, reduced aid deliveries have driven up food prices, with shortages and rising transport costs worsening conditions on the ground. For many residents, this has deepened food insecurity, adding yet another layer of hardship to an already precarious humanitarian situation.

By Nazrin Sadigova