Gaza's Survival Economy: Palestinians Salvage Iron Bars from Rubble to Build Shelters Amid Winter Crisis

Gaza:

Displaced Palestinians in Gaza brave the winter cold daily, returning to their destroyed homes to salvage iron rods from the rubble. These metal bars have become essential resources, used both to reinforce their fragile tents against harsh weather and as valuable items to sell in an economy devastated by conflict.

These iron rods have emerged as highly sought-after commodities amid the widespread destruction caused by Israeli military operations that damaged countless homes. Some residents spend days laboriously breaking through concrete to extract these bars, while others endure this physically demanding work for a week or longer.

The extraction process moves extremely slowly, with Palestinians using only basic tools like shovels, pickaxes, and hammers to access the metal.

According to the UN, the conflict has generated an estimated 61 million tonnes of rubble across Gaza. As temperatures drop and heavy rains flood makeshift shelters, the need for sturdy tent materials becomes increasingly urgent, compounding the suffering of displaced families.

Wael al-Jabra, a 53-year-old father of six, was observed constructing an improvised shelter by hammering together steel bars. "I don't have money to buy wood, of course. So, I had to extract this iron from the house. The house is made of five floors. We don't have anything apart from God and this house that was sheltering us," he explained.

The United Nations Development Programme reported in November that clearing the enormous volume of debris could take up to seven years, even under optimal conditions.

A 10-meter metal rod costs approximately $15, an exorbitant sum for families who have little or no access to cash in the current circumstances.

The conflict began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken to Gaza, according to Israeli figures. Israel's military response has reportedly caused over 70,000 Palestinian casualties and extensive destruction throughout Gaza.

Suleiman al-Arja, a 19-year-old engaged in this work, described the process: "We pass by destroyed houses and agree with the house owner. He gives us a choice, whether to clean the house in exchange for iron or clean the house for money. We tell him that we want the iron and we start breaking the iron. As you can see, we spend a week, sometimes a week and a half."

While U.S. President Donald Trump has promised an international stabilization force and economic development plan to rebuild Gaza, which struggled economically even before the war, many Palestinians remain focused on immediate survival despite the October ceasefire.

For those living through this crisis, long-term reconstruction plans seem distant as they concentrate on day-to-day necessities.

Haitham Arbiea, 29, explained his motivation: "We do this work to get our food and drink, to cover our living expenses and not need anyone, so we earn a living through halal means and effort. These are my hands."

Palestinian sources claim that Israel is preventing iron bars from entering Gaza. When contacted by Reuters, an Israeli official stated that construction materials are classified as dual-use items—potentially serving both civilian and military purposes—and will not be permitted into Gaza until the second phase of the U.S.-led peace plan. The official cited concerns that such materials could be used to construct tunnels previously utilized by Hamas.