In the workshop of Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza, skilled carpenters are repurposing used shipping pallets and discarded wood to manufacture basic furniture, such as bedframes, cupboards, and shelves.

This initiative has become increasingly important due to an Israeli ban on the importation of wood, citing its potential dual use in civilian and military applications.

Mohammed Wafi, a 34-year-old carpenter with 16 years of experience, explains how pallets have emerged as one of the few available sources of wood since only limited aid trucks are permitted to enter Gaza.

The demand for his work has grown significantly, particularly among displaced Palestinians who require essential furniture.

Wafi notes that many individuals, especially those residing in tents, necessitate a bed or an elevated surface to protect them from rats and cockroaches that have infested the tent encampments throughout Gaza.

These pests are known to bite people while they sleep, gnaw through their belongings, and spread disease.

The rising costs of other carpentry essentials further exacerbate the situation.

Wafi mentions that a kilo of nails previously cost 5 shekels (approximately $1.70), but now it can reach up to 130 shekels.

Mohammed Tayseer, a resident of a tent near Khan Younis, used to sleep directly on the ground until he received a bed from Wafi's workshop.

He explains that sleeping on the sandy and dirty floor led to clothes being filled with sand and an increased presence of rats and mice.

This situation caused him back pain and stiffness due to prolonged contact with the ground.

Despite the challenges posed by the Israeli import ban and rising costs, resourceful carpenters in Gaza continue to create much-needed furniture from discarded pallets, providing essential comfort and protection to displaced families.