# How a simple lighter has become the backbone of life in Gaza

https://mins.news/en/item/23331

- Al Jazeera, 2026-08-16 06:10 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/8/16/struggle-for-a-spark-gaza-lighter-crisis-makes-cooking-an-expensive-chore?traffic_source=rss

> In Gaza, scarce lighters can determine whether families cook, bake bread or heat water. Rabab Deifallah and Hasnaa Mansour repeatedly repair old lighters and share flames with nearby families, as Israel’s siege and restrictions on goods worsen shortages and drive up prices.

## Stories

- [Gaza War and Humanitarian Crisis](https://mins.news/en/topic/gaza-war-humanitarian-crisis) — Markdown: https://mins.news/en/topic/gaza-war-humanitarian-crisis.md

## Related coverage

- [Displaced Palestinians in Gaza struggle for water and food](https://mins.news/en/video/23003) — The Associated Press, 2026-08-15
