Fuel ignites people's anger: a jump in fuel prices in the midst of a deteriorating economic situation

Ramallah - Ofoq News - The General Petroleum Corporation, affiliated with the Palestinian Ministry of Finance, announced the increase in fuel and gas prices for the month of October 2026, an increase that sparked widespread dissatisfaction and criticism in light of the difficult economic conditions that citizens in the West Bank are experiencing.

According to the new pricing, as of today, Thursday, October 1, the price of a liter of diesel rose to 8.99 shekels, while the price of a liter of 95 gasoline reached about 8.17 shekels, while the price of a 12-kilogram domestic gas cylinder was set at 90 shekels, and 48 kilograms was set at 360 shekels.

However, the General Petroleum Corporation said that the government decided to direct additional support worth 10 million shekels to reduce the rise in fuel prices during the current month, and to contribute to alleviating the burden of living on citizens, stressing that prices will decrease immediately after any change in the data that led to their rise.

Transport union

In this context, the Transport Workers Union announced agreement with the Ministry of Transport and Communications not to raise transportation prices in general, in exchange for measures to reduce the burden on drivers, including adding an eighth seat to utility vehicles, reducing tax burdens, and pursuing private vehicles that work for a wage.

The union explained that any increase in transportation fees will be limited to some of the lines that were more severely damaged by checkpoints, closures, and attacks, and in a proportion proportional to the extent of the damage and obstacles those lines face.

The new increase comes at a time when the Palestinian economy in the West Bank is suffering from a severe financial and living crisis, which has been reflected in the ability of the Palestinian Authority to pay the full salaries of its employees. In September, the Ministry of Finance announced the disbursement of 50% of the June salary, with a minimum of 2,000 shekels, in light of the continuing financial crisis and Israel’s withholding of part of the Palestinian clearance funds.