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How the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Is Hitting Your Wallet Right Now

Published May 17, 2026  |  Category: Oil Prices & Energy  |  By MoneySavings.ca If you've winced lately at the gas pump or noticed your grocery bill creeping up, you're not imagining it. A geopolitical crisis unfolding halfway around the world — at a narrow strip of water between Iran and Oman — is directly squeezing Canadian budgets. Here's everything you need to know, and what you can do about it. What Is the Strait of Hormuz? The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway just 33 kilometres wide at its tightest point, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Despite its modest size, it is the world's single most critical energy chokepoint. Before this crisis, roughly 20 million barrels of oil moved through it every single day — about 20% of all the world's seaborne oil supply, plus significant volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Think of it as the world's energy jugular vein. When it gets blocked, the entire planet feels it. What Happened? On Februa...

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UN Halts Aid Shipments Through Gaza’s Main Crossing Over Safety Concerns

 

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has announced the suspension of aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing, Gaza's primary cargo route, citing severe safety concerns. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, stated that the decision was made due to the threat posed by armed gangs who have looted recent aid convoys.

The suspension comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by the cold, rainy winter and the ongoing conflict. Experts have already warned of potential famine in the northern parts of Gaza, which have been almost completely isolated by Israeli forces since early October.

Lazzarini pointed out that the route leading to Kerem Shalom has become too dangerous, with nearly 100 trucks being looted in mid-November and another smaller shipment stolen just recently. He also criticized Israeli policies, claiming they have contributed significantly to the breakdown of law and order in Gaza.

The suspension of aid shipments is expected to worsen the already dire situation in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are living in squalid tent camps and relying heavily on international food aid.



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