Gaza bicycle couriers keep working despite fatalities and low wages

A delivery firm operating in the Gaza Strip has reported that between 40 and 50 of its employees have been killed since the outbreak of the Israel‑Hamas war, highlighting the severe toll the conflict has taken on civilian workers. The company, which once relied on a fleet of motorised vehicles, now faces a crippled logistics network as fuel supplies have dwindled and 74 percent of Gaza’s road infrastructure has been destroyed by ongoing hostilities.

In response, hundreds of the remaining couriers have turned to bicycles to keep essential goods moving across the enclave. The shift to pedal power underscores the broader challenges confronting Gaza’s supply chain, where the loss of paved routes and the scarcity of fuel have rendered traditional motorised delivery virtually impossible. Despite the heightened risks and the tragic loss of life, the cyclists continue to navigate the fragmented streets, sustaining a fragile flow of food, medicine and other necessities for a population under siege.