Gaza Strip: Children and youth face danger collecting fuelwood

In the Gaza Strip, the collection of fuelwood has evolved from a traditional practice into a desperate necessity and a primary source of income for families facing economic collapse. Due to the lack of natural gas, rising fuel prices, and diminished purchasing power, many residents must scavenge for wood, dried grass, and timber remnants to cook and survive.

This activity carries extreme risks. Many individuals, including children and teenagers, seek materials in destroyed areas or near the so-called ‘Yellow Line,’ where residents report ongoing dangers of gunfire and targeting. Some scavengers have turned to collecting cardboard and plastic from streets and restaurant waste to avoid these high-risk zones.

Local testimonies highlight the human cost of this struggle. In the Nuseirat refugee camp, residents describe making dangerous journeys to areas like Juhr al-Dik to find fuel. There are reports of youths being killed or injured while scavenging; in one instance, two children aged 8 and 10 were reportedly killed by an Israeli drone while collecting wood.