Gaza families rely on communal ovens as fuel costs outpace food prices

September 22, 2026 at 12:26 PM1 min

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Displaced families in Gaza City are turning to communal ovens to bake bread as cooking fuel and firewood prices rise beyond what many can afford. The ovens, supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross, allow residents to bake dough for free. Women like Azza Ashour and Randa Adwan depend on the ovens to feed their children and earn income.

Key Facts

Azza Ashour, a 31-year-old mother of five from Beit Hanoun, has lived at Cairo School in western Gaza City for about a year.
The communal oven supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross allows displaced people to bake dough for free.
Before the oven, Azza Ashour says buying bread cost her about 15 shekels ($5) a day.
Randa Adwan, a 38-year-old mother of seven with a bachelor's degree in education, works as a baker at the communal oven.

Communal Ovens

The ovens are located at Cairo School, a displacement centre in western Gaza City. The International Committee of the Red Cross supports the ovens, allowing displaced residents to bake dough without charge. Azza Ashour says the oven is the most important thing for her family, as bread is central to feeding her five children. Before the oven was available, she spent about 15 shekels ($5) daily on bread.

Women's Work

Randa Adwan wakes at 5:30am to prepare dough for her seven children before starting her shift at the oven at 7am. She bakes for families until noon, describing the work as exhausting and causing pain in her hands and back. Adwan holds a bachelor's degree in education but works as a baker to support her family.