• 'We started in this sector 40 years ago in Gaza; our factory was small and grew over time,' says Palestinian businessman Ahmed Shomar
• 'The Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip completely destroyed the factory; the production lines are buried under the rubble,' he adds
• Economist Mahir Tibaa says 'Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip have resulted in severe destruction of the local economic structure'

GAZA, Palestine 

For 40 years, the Shomar confectionery and biscuit factory stood as a testament to Gaza’s resilience, employing hundreds and feeding thousands. Today, it lies in ruins, its once-thriving production lines buried under rubble—a casualty of Israel’s relentless bombardment.

The factory, one of Gaza's largest, was not only a lifeline for the local economy but also a beacon of hope for the 200 families who relied on it for a living. Its destruction deals a devastating blow to the already fragile manufacturing sector, which has been systematically targeted since the attacks began on October 7, 2023.  

Legacy lost 

Palestinian businessman Ahmed Shomar, who owned the factory, described the heartbreak of watching four decades of hard work wiped out. “We started in this sector 40 years ago in Gaza; our factory was small and grew over time,” he said.

Built on a 3-dunam plot of land, the factory had nine production lines that churned out chips, biscuits, crackers, and other confectionery products. Over the years, it became a cornerstone of Gaza’s industrial sector, growing to support the livelihoods of hundreds. Shomar estimated the total losses at $15 million.  

Crippled economy 

Economist Tibaa said the attacks have decimated Gaza’s economic infrastructure: “Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip have resulted in severe destruction of the local economic structure.” He noted that more than 80% of factories, shops, and workplaces in Gaza have been partially or completely destroyed.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Economy, Gaza was home to 50,000 industrial and commercial facilities by the end of 2022. The ongoing destruction threatens to erase the economic lifelines that sustain the besieged region.  

Ceasefire amid ruins 

Although a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel took effect on Jan. 19, the humanitarian crisis persists. Over 47,000 Palestinians were killed, 111,483 were injured, and thousands remain trapped under the rubble since Oct. 7, 2023. Vital infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, has also been obliterated.

Shomar’s factory, once a symbol of perseverance, now serves as a grim reminder of the toll exacted on Gaza’s people and economy. “The industrial sector was one of Gaza’s last lifelines,” he said. “Now, we don’t even have that.”  

* Writing by Fatma Zehra Solmaz