Planet Money In Gaza, money is falling apart
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Sep 20, 2025 The podcast dives into Gaza's cash crisis amidst ongoing conflict. With Israel blocking new cash, existing bills are falling apart from overuse. Two friends are on a mission to send money into Gaza, facing logistical nightmares like no functioning banks or ATMs. Daily life is challenging, with scarce jobs and barter becoming essential. Listeners learn about innovative ways to route donations, the hunt for cash brokers, and how soaring prices complicate survival. It's a gripping look at how currency operates under extreme pressure.
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Two Friends Separated By War
- Al-Aldeen and Muhammad are lifelong best friends who grew up together in Gaza and stayed in daily contact despite being separated for years.
- Their close friendship motivates Al-Aldeen to try to get money and aid into Gaza for Muhammad to distribute.
Cash Blockade Has A Hidden Cost
- Israel stopped letting physical Israeli shekels into Gaza at the start of the war, leaving only pre-war cash circulating.
- Overuse has left bills faded, fraying, and in short supply, creating a parallel crisis beyond food and electricity.
A Young Woman Living In A Tent Camp
- Haya, a 23-year-old living in a tent camp, shares how daily life has collapsed and why cash matters to her family.
- She describes keeping scarce cash close and prioritizing purchases to survive.