Aid pallets become furniture as Gazans rebuild homes with whatever remains

Momen Abu Jarrad, a 29-year-old resident of the Tal Al Hawa neighbourhood west of Gaza city, is preparing for his wedding but struggling to furnish his future home. After scouring the limited furniture options that have survived the war, he discovered an affordable alternative: furniture made from wooden aid pallets. Pallet-made furniture has become prevalent in Gaza to compensate for the scarcity of traditional timber.

Carpenters in the region dismantle pallets, remove nails, and transform the planks into beds, wardrobes, desks, chairs, and shelves. Ahmed Abu Khadra, a carpentry workshop owner, now primarily uses pallet wood to produce furniture. Although the cost of pallet wood has increased significantly, demand remains high due to the lack of alternatives for families.

Ahmed Abu Jarrad and other carpenters work slowly and laboriously to create practical, presentable pieces. Despite the high electricity costs and limited tools, the price of a two-person wardrobe is about $330 and a desk around $130, which is relatively affordable in today's market. Some displaced Palestinians, like Mohammed Farwana, are even using pallets to build entire homes.